Something Wicked this way Comes... [Archive] - Page 3

Barthac

2014-02-06, 02:49 AM

Damn Taalkar mutters.

Seeing his brother in action he starts shouting orders to messengers.Get everyone of those cannons pointed north that have a view. We can't fight let those dragonknights flank us.

Jabbing his finger at another messenger, Get over to those Silver Horsemen. Tell them to get their arses in the saddle drive off those dragon knights to the north.

To a third messenger,Get everyone else pointing south. These bastards aren't beating Deep Mote today.

Finally, a fourth messenger, Get a fast horse and ride after Star's Spire. An army moves slow and they may still be close. Tell them to ride to battle or Deep Mote will fall.

He turns and sees his brother, the last of the great Falgen stone shapers, deep in concentration. Faithful Sid, stands at his side, a large crate still slung over it's massive rocky shoulder. We might see Moradin tonight, brother. These bastards double-crossed us again. We both knew we weren't meant to grow old but let's make as many widows in Great Gate as we can. An evil grin splits his scarred face.

He turns and with a mighty battle cry and leaps away towards the southern front.

As he moves towards the battle in leaps and bounds, he smiles as sings an old dwarven drinking song:

"Gimme a flagon, a barrel, a wagon,
Oh gimme a flask or a pot or a pail,
Keep on pourin' til I be snorin'
And let's drink that Bugman's Ale!

We march by day, we drink by night
Through sun and snow and gale,
So have a round, a pint, or glass
And drink that Bugman's Ale!

If there be a table, as broad as is able,
Then set down a stump, a chair or a pail
For while we war for king and hold
Let's drink that Bugman's Ale!

So bring on the ale and beer without fail,
Oh barlass, our stories regale
Tomorrow we fight at dawn's first light
But tonight it's Bugman's Ale!"

Mr. X

2014-02-06, 02:55 PM

The chaos of battle quickly deepens as ranks turn to face the oncoming enemies, and others struggle to regain order...

But in this most desperate of times, the Link between the Twin Brothers flares, and surges strong, heightening their awareness of one another, and forging a bond stronger than any might it might face...

For Both of you:

The Brothers Strongstone

Joined from birth, you are the opposite sides of the same coin, and as your fates are entwined, so too do each of your strengths benefit the other...

System
The following effects occur whenever you are both within 60 ft. Of each other.

Karazi: While within range, your link extends to Taalkar. You may share spells with him at will, communicate telepathically, and apply the Str/Dex and Natural Armor adjustments that would be allotted an Animal Companion of your Level.
(At Lv 10, these are +6 Natural AC, and +3 Str and Dex.)

Taalkar: While in range, you may include Karazi in your circle of Martial Expertise. Any benefit applied to you by any Stance or Maneuver you employ, may be applied to Karazi also as a free action.

LordDice

2014-02-09, 05:42 PM

As they head towards that southern front he shouts in terran "Try out that Cannon, furthest charging Horsemen, try not to hit too many dwarves, after that head to the nearest cannon and get one loaded with ball"

Mr. X

2014-02-10, 03:21 AM

Struggling through your crowded and [now] mis-ordered ranks, you make your way south toward the thick of the fighting.

Over the shouts and shrieks of fighting and dying dwarves and men a loud whistle blows low over your heads as Great Gate's archers release a massive volley of arrows and bolts into your rear ranks... And cannon crews...

... It is a good thing you armored them.

Even still, losses continue to be heavy as your own archers return fire, and cannon crews struggle to get their cannons turned to face the enemy forces.

You are nearly to where the your southern lines have managed to form up, and are facing off against the on-pouring enemy infantry, where the line of skirmish has shifted back and forth, and bodies from both sides litter the groundcc. A ragged cheer goes up from your men at your arrival, and many join in Taalkar's song as he charges into the fray.

Suddenly countless small bursts of light erupt over the battlefield, filling the air with a glittering, silvery powder... Magic? Poison? You flinch away as a puff gets in your face, to almost instinctively recognize the taste and feel of ground silver filings...

It is then that the magic hits, and you feel the sickening cold of death permeate the air, and all around, the dead begin to rise...

The lines waiver and buckle under the new onslaught, as many of the dead arise amidst your ranks, and cries of fear and terror escape those pounced upon by their once friends and compatriots, while the main force, even further bolstered by the rise dead makes a heavy push into the line...

But then Sid is there... The massive shape of shifting gravel and stone shoulders through the line, withdrawing a full six-pounder canon from within its shifting mass, and leveling it into the mass of enemy troops. A snap of flint-tipped fingers ignites the cannon's fuse...

... The explosion of shrapnel rips through flesh and unliving bone alike like a knife through sheep's wool...

The blast is quickly followed up by the vile, ancient magic running off of Karazi's scroll, conjuring up a neigh invisible array of phantom hooks and blades that whip and slash at any who come near...

But the wash of magic comes again, and the mutilated corpses begin to rise once more... Even disembodied hands, legs, and even heads, flex with life, and crawl and grasp at the Dwarven shield wall...

And then... That distinctive twang... Taalkar has bear moments to turn and tackle his brother to the ground as the Dragonspear cuts through your lines... Fired from one of the ancient Ballistae, it spears through nearly fifty dwarves before finally coming to a stop, sinking it's head into the body of The Hill...

This fight is far from over...

The Map:
http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x321/chaunceyparsons/Mobile%20Uploads/1392019735_zps31f74e8c.jpg

Sooo.... Things have shifted a little.

The Silver Horsemen have circled around, and hit the flank of the Northern Force, and for the moment, are doing fairly well.

Karazi, to the Northeast, your Wind Control is holding the undead for the time being, but it's duration shall be running out fairly soon.

To the south, things are still pretty rough. Even after Sid's Blast and Karazi's Blade Barrier (which were significant blows), your lines are in the verge of breaking again... Mainly owing to the undead getting up within their ranks.

For your Information, the silvery powder was employed to cast numerous 'Desecrate' spells across the battlefield, before wands of 'Animate Dead' were employed.

... You recall King Albert mentioning that the Priesthood of Nerul road with him. This is doubtless their work.

Your own clerics may attempt both to Turn the Undead, and use any positive energy magics they possess against them, however, on the Desecrated grounds, they take a -3 profane penalty on their Turning checks.

Then there are the Ballistae.

It's your move.

LordDice

2014-02-10, 11:52 PM

Grabbing at a nearby Hornsmen. Sound for a slow fighting withdraw northward from the southern line. Call for Reinforcements from the Eastern line. Tell the Men behind the lines to start throwing Oil and Satchel, we'll burn those abominations back to the grave...and send off ours properly at least."

Hollaring over the Din of battle he keeps rattling orders to runners nearby "Cannon companys assigned to the south switch to Ball, I want some of those Ballistae out of commision and Bomb to ruin their incoming, lets reach into their ranks a bit, keep a few on Grape to pound the front too and GO"

"You there, Word for the Quartermaster is to get this place ready to pickup, wagons loaded as quickly as possible. Put a detatchment on setting up traps of Satchels and gunpowder for us to retreat over ...now GO"

Flinching a bit, he pulls an arrow out of his collar, wedged between his breastplate and rocky skin "Word to the northern Centurion, Envelop those Heavy Horse and pound them with cannons until they are no more... Tell him that's our new path out of here...he MUST clear the way.

LordDice

2014-02-10, 11:58 PM

As Sid gets back to him with a fresh cannon he sends him off yet again " Circle around, find the most pompous and important looking jackass in their back line...and fire that cannon at him. If ya don't mind. Keep your distance though.

Barthac

2014-02-11, 12:35 AM

Taalkar takes a might sweeping strike at an undead dwarf next to him, cleanly removing it's head.

You heard me brother. Lock shields and FALL BACK!

I have a new maneuver called Fountain of Blood (http://dndtools.eu/spells/tome-of-battle-the-book-of-nine-swords--88/fountain-blood--3737/). I would like to use it right about now.

Mr. X

2014-02-12, 03:26 AM

Horn blasts go up, signaling the retreat, and the order for satchel charges, as Taalkar wades into the fray while the troops lock shields and pull back... Like some avatar of destruction, his crackling axe hews through foe after foe. Hacking a leg off one man to come around and take the head off of another, before driving his butt-spike beneath the helm of a third, twisting it to pierce the screaming man's jugular in a spray of gore so violent that even the hardened soldiers of Great Gate hesitate and give pause...

... But the dead know no fear, and press onto him regardless, forcing him back, when the first of the satchel charges is thrown...

The uncontained blasts shred the field, turning men to sprays of red mist, and skeletons to clouds of powdered bone, nearly clearing a wide buffer between the two armies, and for a moment, it seems the tide might turn...

But then the unthinkable occurs...

The vast banner unfurls in the sky, filling your foes with vim and fury, as they charge across the gulf into your retreating lines once more...

But it is different... No longer a sable field with a rampant silver dragon, the banner is now charcoal black, displaying a clenched and gauntleted fist.

Mr. X

2014-02-13, 12:21 AM

As the newly empowered soldiers of the enemy press forward ever stronger, one of your cannons finally manages to be turned to face them, and unleash its fury...

The dull thud of its blast is felt, more than it is heard, as the six-pound ball flies faster than they eye can see... Ripping a swath through the enemy ranks, and skipping off the ground like a stone over the water, pulverizing all inside its path...

It presents an opportunity...

Retreat can only lead to annihilation... Flanked on three sides, the enemy are simply too many...

But an assault... Fast and strong... Might behead the beast... And yet win the day...

Barthac

2014-02-13, 10:50 AM

Taalkar gapes as the cannon tears a huge swath in the enemy line. This was the first time he witnessed the devastation of a cannon blast at close range. Suddenly, a memory comes to mind.

He is back in Kralitaglorfal, the home of his clan, and he is a young dwarf lad, full of passion even by his standards. An old, grizzled warrior of the Whurgrim clan is teaching them about the tactics of warfare. They are discussing the siege of Deep Mote by Great Gate.

“Deep Mote was lucky,” the old dwarf says. This piques Taalkar’s interest as it is a somewhat controversial remark. The defense at Deep Mote is a proud part of dwarven heritage.

“You can’t defend a single point forever against a greater foe forever. Eventually, even the largest boulder can be cut with a trickle of water. The trick is having the patience to wait and Great Gate didn’t have enough.” The grizzled veteran stops to let his students ponder this thought.
“What should they have done?” someone asks.

“Have you ever seen a badger fight against a pack of hunting dogs. They go for the throat!”

His reverie broken, Taalkar looks at his brother, Time to go for the throat, Brother.

Taalkar turns and raises his axe high in the air, For Beluvah, For Moradin, For DEEP MOTE!

The dwarf then bursts into motion. Leaping through the air at the gap in the enemy lines, he hits the ground in a graceful roll. He acrobatically tumbles toward the line with a serious of twists and turns, only a blur of movement. His axe, crackling with electricity, shoots out in sweeping arcs and pokes, seemingly appearing in multiple places at once.

As quickly as it started, the dwarven ball of death stops. Taalkar stoops in a low crouch resting on one foot, his axe outstretched behind him, beheading an imaginary opponent, one leg stretched to the side in a snap-kick. Not heaving or even breathing heavily after his display, he looks at the now closer enemy line and mutters one word, Asiz.

The gem on his eye patch flares to life and releases an arc of electric heat, slicing into the enemy line.

Some rolls, if they are needed:
Jump: [roll0]
Tumble: [roll1]
Helm of Wounding Sight Damage: 60 Ft Cone [roll2] fire damage and Blind, DC 20 Reflex for half damage and Dazzled.

LordDice

2014-02-13, 12:31 PM

As the dwarven host rallies behind his brother he quickly tries to catch up the the jumping feydwarf. Sid close behind with a newly aquired cannon they follow in behind.

As they progress through the enemy host he starts gesturing with his shield at the enemy, vines quickly come up entangling their feet and legs as they pass by.

Mr. X

2014-02-13, 05:12 PM

Even as the enemy host flows to fill the massive break in their ranks, Taalkar's charge keeps it open... His thundering axe hewing his foes like wheat before the scythe, before the blast of magic from his eye stuns them further.

The ranks of dwarves fall in behind him, taking good advantage of the hole he as created, charging forward in a tight wedge, and cutting ever further into the body of the enemy's ranks, as Karazi's magics hinder their reinforcement even further...

Ahead looms the Command Platform, atop which stands King Albert, the golden masked Emissary of the Eternal Order, Lord Jessen Kleret, and eight of the King's Elite guard.

LordDice

2014-02-13, 10:53 PM

Flowing forward lightly glides right up one of Sid's arms over his gravely body and up the other arm onto the platform.

Sid follows behind enveloping his cannon inside his body he then reaches and hauls himself up.

Looking as menacing as he can he takes up position to protect Karazi, as jagged spikes of greenish malachite form around his arms.

As his brother jumps up he quickly readies himself, focusing on the others around.

Holding an action to counterspell using Dispel Magic anything coming at us while he does his leaping awesomeness.

Mr. X

2014-02-15, 03:21 AM

There is a flurry of activity atop the platform as you flow up onto it, as your charge traveled faster, and pierced farther, than any seemed to have expected.

Six of the King's elite guard charge you as you alight, while the King himself, and his nobles, stand back to watch...

... But in that moment, there is an odd popping sound, and in a flash of light, three of the Godsent appear behind them... Weapons drawn and ready for combat, the Blade Bearer, The Bone-Foot, and the Bleeding Hand.

Bratovitch

2014-02-15, 01:39 PM

The King leers at the dwarves, face red as a beet with rage. A stream of spittle flies from his mouth as he bellows;

BUTCHER THEM! BUTCHER THEM ALL!!!

Barthac

2014-02-15, 02:04 PM

Taalkar again sails through the air leaping and twisting. He lands on the platform in a defensive posture waiting for an attack, looking over the situation.

He sees the guards advance and the godsent appear. Ignoring the kings screaming he glares at the three godsent, I should have known you lot where behind this. You may kill the men of Deep Mote, but we'll see you lot in hell first!

Barthac

2014-02-15, 07:52 PM

Taalkar leaps into actions with a mighty YARRRR!!!

HP 75/75 AC:27(-2 Steel Wind)

Active Stance:Steel Wind

Readied Manuevers: Iron Heart Surge, Fountain of Blood, Mountain Hammer, Pouncing Charge, Death from above

Use pouncing charge. Will charge at a guard with a leap, using leap attack and heedless charge from Shock Trooper using PA:9. I would like to attack two different guards if possible.

Jump Check:[roll0]

1st Attack:
ToHit:[roll1](+2 from charge)
Damage:
Weapon:[roll2], Sparky[roll3], Stance[roll4]

1st Attack:
ToHit:[roll5](+2 from charge)
Damage:
Weapon:[roll6], Sparky[roll7], Stance[roll8]

My ending AC is 18.

Mr. X

2014-02-16, 04:01 AM

Taalkar's Axe cleaves through the breastplate of the first man, felling him like a burst bag of water.

The second is more prepared, bringing up his shield, and deflecting the blow, as returns the attack, striking down with a Longsword that sizzles and drips with some caustic fluid...

His fellows move quickly to follow up his act...

The Elite Guardsmen are all 5th Lv. Fighters, with 36 hp, and 22 AC. They bear +1 Full Plate, +1 Large Shields, +1 Acidic (1d6) Longswords, and +1 Rings of Protection.

Their Feats are as follows: Weapon Focus(Longsword), Weapon Specialization(Longsword), Power Attack, Cleave, Improved Shield Bash, and Mounted Combat.

Additionally, the Banner grants them +2 to their attack and damage rolls.

With one already killed, you get two against Taalkar, two vs. Karazi, and one against Sid as he clambers up.

Vs. Taalkar:
1.)[roll0]
Damage: [roll1] + [roll2] Acid.
2.)[roll3]
Damage: [roll4] + [roll5] Acid

Vs. Karazi:
1.)[roll6]
Damage: [roll7] + [roll8] Acid
2.)[roll9]
Damage: [roll10] + [roll11] Acid

Vs. Sid:
[roll12]
Damage: [roll13] + [roll14] Acid

LordDice

2014-02-16, 12:34 PM

Catching a blade on his forearm the wound burns through his armor cutting into his hardened flesh even, sizzling slightly.

Even as Sid catches a blade across his midsection, burning halfway through before closing up with gravel quickly filling in...but it clearly hurt him.
He steps behind Karazi and Taalkar trying to gain some cover.

Glancing at his brother he decides to even out their odds a bit, tipping his head back he releases the oddest howl ever heard, almost the sound of a landslide coming from his mouth...As the sound rolls on his stony face quickly starts to elongate developing a massive maw continuing on to actually bulk up the dwarf some before spreading to Taalkar and Sid.

Bite of the Werewolf (http://dndtools.eu/spells/spell-compendium--86/bite-werewolf--3954/) Shared with Taalkar and Sid of course as they're close.

Barthac

2014-02-16, 01:08 PM

Taalkar sets his feet firmly and lashes out in a fury of slashes.

HP 75/75 AC:32

Active Stance:Stone stance

Readied Manuevers: Iron Heart Surge, Fountain of Blood, Mountain Hammer, Pouncing Charge, Death from above

Full attack against the guards, using PA 4 reducing my AC to 28. If I fell one I will use Fountain of Blood.

1st Attack
ToHit: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]+[roll2]

2nd Attack
ToHit: [roll3]
Damage: [roll4]+[roll5]

Fountain of Blood (http://dndtools.eu/spells/tome-of-battle-the-book-of-nine-swords--88/fountain-blood--3737/)
Damage:[roll6]
Will DC:20

Barthac

2014-02-16, 01:11 PM

Crit Confirm [roll0]
Damage:[roll1]+[roll2]+[roll3]
Plus, they make a DC14 Fort or they are deafened permanently.

Bratovitch

2014-02-16, 02:46 PM

As the longaxe performs it's grim work, King Albert is spattered in the face by the ruptured jugular of his guards...a trembling hand touches the blood as if in disbelief, then slow dawning comprehension: his eyes roll madly with terror as he jerks backward, voice breaking into a high pitched shriek...

STOP THEM! KILL THEM!! KEEP THEM BBBAAAACCKK!!!

Mr. X

2014-02-17, 02:28 PM

Even as the King shrieks, you see Elias, the kid with the sword, steps up behind him to cut him down... But in that instant, the Emissary of the Eternal Order is there. With freakish strength, he shoves the King out of the way, and catches the Kid's flurry of blows upon himself... A glint of light at his finger brings up a semi-translucent shield of force, emblazoned with the personal sigil of Gunther the Fist... He pushed too hard, however, and the panicked Monarch stumbles forward, catching his toe on an uneven plank, and toppling to the ground before you...

As you watch, the kid gets a lucky strike against the emissary, skewering him through the eye, and flicking away his golden mask...

The man takes no notice of the terrible blows, and as the mask falls away, you witness the face beneath that desiccated and dry, and wrapped in ancient gauze strips...

Your knees turn to water as you comprehend who and what you face...

The Banner... The Shield... This thing before you is no mere undead animation... It is the greatest conquerer who ever lived risen again...

Taalkar, as he stumbles into reach, you may make an Attack of Opportunity against King Albert.

Both of you, please make a Will Save, DC 17.

If you fail, you shall be Paralyzed with Fear for [roll0] rounds.

Barthac

2014-02-17, 02:39 PM

Will Save:[roll0]

I will be using Iron Heart Surge to shrug off the effects. This effects Karazi, as well.

Barthac

2014-02-17, 03:20 PM

Seeing the King suddenly within reach, Taalkar takes advantage of the chance to end this battle and save his men. Using the momentum of the heavy blade, he swings the axe in a tight circle.

ToHit: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]+[roll2]

Mr. X

2014-02-17, 05:10 PM

Your axe falls, but the King twists away, squealing like a pig, as you cleave through his breastplate, and deep into his torso, but fail to deliver a killing blow...

At the sound the mummified emperor twists around, his desiccated face contorting in terrible rage. Jewels and amulets encrusted beneath his wrappings flare with light, as his mouth opens, and he utters a single word...

... The air splits with deafening thunder and blinding light, and you are cast onto your back, unable to move, unable to hear, and only barely able to breath...

Gunter casts 'Dictum', CL 18.

If your Alignment is non-Lawful, and you have less than 13 Hit Dice, you are Paralyzed for [roll0] minutes, and you are Deafened and Slowed for [roll1] rounds.

If Sid has less than 9 Hit Dice, he must succeed at a Will Save, DC 24, or be Banished for 24 hours. He must make this roll at a -4 Penalty.

Mr. X

2014-02-17, 06:28 PM

... You exist as though in a dream... Sounds are muffled and indistinct, your vision is watery, and there is an odd sense of warm comfort as you lay helpless upon the platform's floor...

... Events move as though through molasses... Before you, King Albert writhes... Blood hemorrhaging from his eyes and ears...

Beyond the Godsent real also, save for the Bone-Foot, Fredric, who kneels terrified before the mummified King...

... The remaining Elite Guard stand over you, swords poised to end your suffering existence...

... But then... There's dust in your eyes...

... The wooden awning over the platform has been shattered, and in the wreckage, The Dragonborn Kulkov crouches before the mummy King... He is unarmed, and unarmored, and blood drips from his left hand, where his ring-finger has been severed off...

... His lips move, but you cannot hear his words...

... The Mummy King does not move, but there is a sudden burst of shadowy blackness, and the Lady Sascha is there, leaping upon the Dragonborn's back, and driving a wicked knife deep into his side...

... Kulkov's face contorts in pain as he grapples with the reptilian woman, slamming himself downward, his great bulk smashing through the floor and supporting beams, causing the whole platform to list badly...

... You feel yourself sliding helplessly down the slope, as you watch the Dragonborn scramble away and take wing, the Lady Sascha still wound tightly around him...

... You watch Gunter the Fist watch the Dragonborn flying away, making for the relative safety of the Dwarven lines...

... And as he watches, so too, as though by some subconscious intuition, do the Dragon-Slaying Ballistae wheel on their turntables and track the sky...

... The first Dragonspear misses...

... So does the second...

... The third hits him squarely in the back, punching clean through his armored scales, and those of the draconic woman clinging to him, pinning them together as they plummet from the sky...

...

...

Mr. X

2014-02-17, 07:47 PM

... The Dragonborn fall, disappearing into chaos of the melee. Two more bodies to add to the days tally...

When you become aware of a foot on your face... The sudden drop in the platform upset the balance of many of the soldiers as well, causing the lot of you to slide down into a heap at the bottom.

... Your hearing slowly begins to return, as you become aware of the clatter if mail and muffled curses as the men try to regain their feet...

... But then, a sudden, palpable silence falls over the field...

... You become sharply aware of a great light in the world going out... And the wash of divine power as the blood of two, who have be touched by the gods, spills upon the ground and co-mingles...

... The earth shudders...

... Only a vibration at first, but quickly growing in degrees of magnitude... Watchtowers and palisades collapse, horses throw their riders and break their legs, and no man is able to keep his feet...

... In a sudden lurch, the earth is torn asunder... Splitting open a wide chasm directly along the line of skirmish, and separating the two armies, as countless members of both sides tumble screaming into the abyss...

... And then you witness the claw... Like the foot of an eagle, each hooked talon as long as a long-spear, and wide as a horse... Followed by the spreading, webbed-joint bat's wing, and finally the serpentine neck, blazing eyes, and blade-like teeth of the Elder Wyrm...

... A millennia at rest, the Dragonborns' deaths, on this spot, has woken one of the most terrible beasts the world has ever known...

... The Dragonspears are fired upon the beast, and a few even find painful purchase... But this is no wyrmling of man's short memory...

... The thing's immense head turns... It's maw opens... And the blast of heat is felt clear across the battlefield...

Knights and soldiers are charred to ash, cooked within their armor, even the ancient and spell-shielded Ballistae are melted to slag...

... Suddenly, you feel a hand grip your breastplate and pull you close, and hear a dimly recognizable voice chanting quickly...

... There is a tugging sensation behind your navel, followed by the sickening sensation of being turned inside out...

...

...

When you come to, it is in an open field somewhere... The armies, and the Dragon, are nowhere to be seen...

... A village can be seen off in the distance, but that is all...

This marks the end of this chapter of the Campaign.

Please return to 'The Meeting' thread, to continue.

Mr. X

2014-02-22, 01:16 PM

[placeholder for events in The Meeting]

Mr. X

2014-02-22, 01:19 PM

Turning away from the other party, your blood boiling from the harsh exchanges, you turn Northward... Back towards Beluvah, and if the halfling Vlorah was to be believed, to ward your army's approach.

LordDice

2014-02-23, 01:15 AM

As they trod ever northward to the remnants of the Dwarven army Karazi takes a moment to rejuvenate them a bit. Not really thinking in his right mind earlier.

He watches idly as the spell fluctuating power seems to alternate between the two of them. Only making him even more miserable as he thinks of where Sid might be right now.

"You know I've no particular love for the Godsent brother, but you know they are merely desperate people like ourselves. Even I sometimes forget how much worse you had it in the dark times."

"Sorry, I know you dislike speaking of it..."

"Surely they didn't mean something of that depravity, they are just grasping at dust for any plan that has a hope in hell of working... Hell I only wanted to kill his Kin to spite him, it never even occurred to me to try and use the Lad that way."

"But we still need to see to the Army, our duty commands no less. at least until they're back home."

LordDice

2014-02-24, 12:42 AM

He goes on to poke Taalkar a few times with a wand pulled out of his pack.

Whacking him a few times with a lesser vigor wand I still had. should take 2 plus the one I cast to top him off.

Barthac

2014-02-24, 09:49 AM

Taalkar stomps northward, his fire still stoked. Karazi just barely catches a few muttered words brat... spoiled... cowardly HA! ... at his age... still in diapers...

Mr. X

2014-03-07, 02:54 AM

Marching in wounded and sullen silence, the hills pass beneath your feet like ripples on a lake, while the sun dips ever lower over the eastern sky.

The sunset is a marvelous thing... But where, in pleasanter times, the colors of the light through the clouds might evoke images of veins of priceless crystals and ores, it instead turns the sky to a sea of blood... Marked and scarred by the fires of battle and betrayal...

From this perspective, it seems the sun plummets into the earth just where the blighted ruins of the Holy City once stood... Where your countrymen came to contain the goblin threat that burnt the city... Only to be thrown back before the walls, and into the waiting arms of the Gunter the Fist... The Ancient Enemy risen once more.

...

... As night falls, you crest a hill to see the glittering campfires of an army camped below...

... The remnants of The Garrison. Escaped from Great Gate's clutches, but cut off from their ancestral lands...

... Where can you go from here?

LordDice

2014-03-07, 04:56 PM

Seeing the camp below he claps his brother on the shoulder "Hey a bit of lucky after all !"

Trudging tiredly towards the encampment he hollars out as he starts to near the scouts "Friendlies coming in, Someone get me a report !"

Mr. X

2014-03-08, 04:53 AM

The runner the comes out to greet you drops his jaw as he recognizes you.

"... Yer alive!"

He glances back at the camp.

"... After the dragon, we lost everyone involved in the offensive charge... Counted either dead or captured...

Garret Stonefoot has taken command of the remains of the army.

You'll need to report to him."

Barthac

2014-03-08, 10:11 AM

Taalkar sullenly follows his brother into camp.

Garret's in charge? Good for him to have made it this far. He's done better by Deep Mote then we did!

Taalkar stomps off to find Garret.

Mr. X

2014-03-09, 05:15 AM

The camp is a mess of the beleaguered, wounded and dying... And it is soooo small...

Less than a hundred thousand remain of Deep Mote's original force, and nearly all are battling exhaustion.

You find Stonefoot sitting on the ground in a common soldier's tent, a bloody bandage wrapped about his chest, staring blankly at a mess of papers spread out before him...

He gives you a glazed look, and an absent salute as you enter.

"... I'd already counted you among the dead... Or rather, I hadn't counted you among the living." he states bluntly.

He heaves a shuddering sigh,

"... I don't know whether to thank the dragon or curse it. It blasted us once before it left, and I dare not guess how many it killed... But it divided the line, and forced Great Gate to reposition, and bought us our escape... For what it is worth...

We are cut off from the North. King Albert has repositioned westward, but he had another whole contingent of undead hiding in the forest...

...We can't get back to Deep Mote, we can't stay here, and we don't have the supplies to remain afield..."

He violently kicks a sheef of papers...

"... We are looking at starvation, or surrender... Most like, without conditions."

Barthac

2014-03-10, 12:05 AM

Perhaps we head the head the other way then. What about trying to catch up with Star's Spire and the boy king? I doubt they know what happened at Beluvha, but the should. Should mean they aren't fast marching all the way home. I bet Deep Mote could catch up.

LordDice

2014-03-10, 05:25 PM

"Aye, it seems like we'd be able to catch up to them.. And odds are the damned Gate will be looking towards them next.

We need to get word to Deep Mote though as soon as we can, otherwise they may be caught off guard by the Gate, as much as I hate to say it...they may have already been hit"

Barthac

2014-03-10, 05:41 PM

We could probably find one of those nodes you're always blathering about. That would take us to the keep and past Great Gate. Garret can take the army on a fast march to Star Spire. Going that way should through Gunther off their scent long enough.

Mr. X

2014-03-10, 07:22 PM

Stonefoot bobbles his head, scowling.

"... The thought 'ad occurred te me, but I dinnae know if'n the Boy King could be trusted... 'e left at an awful convenient moment te let us get butchered."

LordDice

2014-03-11, 09:42 AM

"Aye, It'd take some looking for the node though...I might be better off flying straight to Deep Mote

"As for the timing of the Boy King, it's hard to judge. I don't see him leaving troops just to die with us though..if he was agreeable with this betrayal I would have thought they'd be hitting us from inside our lines even as the Gate smashed upon us from outside"

"I think it may be worth a chance, considering our options left, and if they are still resisting the Fist, we'll need every ally we can get outside of Deep Mote...anything to slow him down"

Mr. X

2014-03-11, 09:30 PM

Stonefoot nods,

"If'n ye think so, I'll give the order in the mornin'. We ain't goin' no further tonight."

He sits back.

"Ye best find a place te rest yer heads. We got run off wit nearly nothin' in the way o' supplies. I got what few tents we came away with begin' stitched together into communal shelters, so ye can try te find a place there.

If'n ye've got food te share, I've little doubt the men will be grateful... More'an one mouth is gonna go un-fed tonight."

Barthac

2014-03-12, 12:03 AM

Ya done a good job, lad. Taalkar pats Stonefoot on the shoulder.

I'll go with ya until me brother calls me. I will sleep on the cold ground, reminds me of home anyway.

LordDice

2014-03-12, 12:14 AM

Tossing his rations to the man he shrugs "Not much at all, but I can do without I suspect.

I can do a few circles around the encampment before heading out to Deep Mote...there may be some game around, I'll be back to let you know in an hour brother"

Shifting into an eagles form he takes to the air and immediately starts scouting the nearby area as well as he can.

Spottin food [roll0]
And anything else of note for roughly an hour around the area. Afterwards reporting back anything to Taalkar and heading straight for Deep Mote.

Mr. X

2014-03-12, 01:05 AM

There is an audible gasp as Karazi steps out of Stonefoot's tent, transforms into a bird, and takes wing.

---------

The air is icy cold, and the dying day blustery, as the winds pick up... A winter storm is moving off the coast... There will be heavy snowfall tonight...

While your thick feathers keep you warm, it takes every ounce of strength and concentration you possess to battle the erratic winds, and stay aloft...

... It proves a wasted effort too, as the frigid planes are all but bereft of game and wildlife, or even any considerable threat beyond the cold...

Near the end of your hour, you spot a hare bolting from a bush...

Folding your wings you plummet from the hights, and swoop down to snatch up the terrified beast in your talons, and deftly snap its neck in a single motion...

... Making your way back to camp, you land and retake your form, picking up the rabbit where you dropped it...

... It is little enough, but better than nothing, you must suppose.

Barthac

2014-03-12, 08:55 AM

Good Luck, Brother. Taalkar stands stiffly, trying hard not to show any emotion. In reality he was filled with fear and anxiety. Now he was starting to understand how Karazi was feeling without Sid.

Use that bracelet as soon as you get to Deep Mote!

LordDice

2014-03-12, 06:41 PM

Looking around he spies a old fire at one point, gathering up some of the ashes into a bit of cloth as he murmurs over it before handing it to Taalkar.

"Keep this with you, every sundown spill this upon the earth and leave it till morning. If I need to contact you it'll be during the night sometime, I'll try to look in on you as I can when I rest for the night."

"Good luck keeping this rowdy bunch together, I'll bring you as soon as possible"

With those parting words he takes wing back into the skies.

Mr. X

2014-03-14, 02:20 AM

Karazi morphs once more, and leaves Taalkar alone amid the beleaguered camp...

...

Sitting down at a campfire, you spit the rabbit your brother brought, and set to turning it for all to share.

The smell of cooking meat soon draws a fair crowd, and as the meager portions are divided, one of the soldiers sits down next to you.

"Oy, yer Falgen, ain't ye? I'm from Mythril Keep too. Name's Willem... Willem Whurgrim..."

He looks at you hard, waiting for his name to sink in.

For Karazi:

It being nearly dark when you leave, you don't make it very far before you are forced to land for the night on your first night... A storm is picking up over the ocean, and the winds are too strong for you to safely navigate.

It snows heavily overnight, but the storm dies down by morning, allowing you fairly clear (if somewhat overcast) skies, and gentle winds upon which to ride.

Steering well clear of Great Gate's force, and the blighted infestation in Beluvah, you circle wide over the bay, before heading North towards Mythril Keep and Deep Mote.

Beluvah has been badly devastated by the Dragon's assault. Wildfires still burn across the city, and countless burnt corpses litter the streets... Even so, the city bustles with activity, as ever more of the Blighted creatures pours from their subterranean tunnels.

It takes you most of the day to get around Beluvah and across the bay, and your course takes you over the nearest town of Pinnacle Rock as you proceed.

Pinnacle Rock too, has recently been burnt to ash, but it is not overrun by the goblins as you might have expected... Or rather, not by the Blighted goblins at least...

Hundreds of humans mill about the remains of the town, carrying various supplies, and apparently repairing and improving the town's walls... But it is clear that they are not the ones in charge...

... Wolf-eared and pig-nosed, standing easily as tall as the humans, and clad in meticulously polished and maintained arms and armor, the slave drivers are another race entirely... And a hated one at that...

... Hobgoblins.

Even as you sail overhead, an ear piercing cacophony of howls erupts from the surrounding forest, and a great pack of wargs bursts from the tree line... There must be at least fifty of them, and at their head, the greatest of them is mounted by some female hobgoblin, who clearly directs the beasts...

... Your magic is wearing thin by the time you've cleared Pinnacle Rock, and you are forced to land for the night...

... You've managed to put a few miles between you and the town, but you are easily still within the warg's range, and must expend further magics to hide your sent and trail...

... Without your brother, you will have to risk being caught asleep... Or spend the night without rest...

Barthac

2014-03-14, 09:06 AM

Taalkar's face darkens, his tired face sags under yet another burden.

I will never forget that name. Some sins are never far from my thoughts.

Mr. X

2014-03-14, 10:39 AM

Willem sneers.

"Oh are they not now? I wonder where your thoughts were when ye led ten thousand o' our boys into the heart o' the Gaties, eh?

An not a single one returns 'cept you an that freak o' a brother o' yours."

He spits on the ground.

"Now, that don't seem convenient at all."

Barthac

2014-03-14, 11:07 AM

Licking the last bits of grease from his fingertips, Taalkar turns his eye at the Whurgrim.

Not convenient at all, I should think.

He stands and stretches is aching muscles. I'm too tired for wordplay, son. Unless you plan on challenging me outright, I think I'll get some sleep.

Grabbing his axe he uses it to point to a bare patch of ground on the outskirts of the camp. I'll be sleeping over there, should you wish to do me the pleasure of sticking a dagger in my ribs. An odd thought suddenly occurs to him, unless a stone crossbow bolt is more your style?

Mr. X

2014-03-14, 01:59 PM

Willem ignores your last comment.

"Oh aye! I bet ye'd like me te challenge ye, so ye can split my skull the way ye split my mother's!"

He stands, throwing the valuable piece of rabbit meat into the mud at your feet.

You are dimly aware of the commotion drawing a greater crowd.

"No one doubts yer strength Falgen... Only yer honor.

How was it that ye escaped the Gaties, if'n they didn't let ye go, eh?

Better yet, how was it that ye ordered the whole bloody army te face the wrong way when they hit?!

WHY IS IT THAT WHEN E'RE YE SHOW YER BEARDLESS CHIN ANOTHER HUNDRED THOUSAND DWARVES DIE?!!

Mr. X

2014-03-14, 02:23 PM

For Karazi:

It is in the dead of night that you are suddenly awoken by the unmistakeable howl of a wolf...

Close too... Probably only spitting distance away...

The howl is quickly picked up by countless other voices, untill the forest seems to echo with the maddening baying of the hounds, growing closer every moment, as the pack closes on your position...

You've got six rounds before the whole pack is upon you.

Actions?

LordDice

2014-03-14, 03:12 PM

Cursing to himself he rubs a bit of sleep from his eyes and tries to get his bearing in the tiny stone enclosure he built.

As the wolves howl ever closer he quickly gets to work, putting his hands onto the stone it quickly melts back into the earth.

A muttered phrase in Terran and he quickly flows just as easily into the stone. Leaving nothing but barren ground where he once was.

Barthac

2014-03-15, 09:55 AM

Taalkar closes his eye and takes a deep breath, calming the furnace within.

You're right lad. A lot died under my watch but not because of my lack of honor. When Ironjaw was killed our battle plans were already drawn. My brother and I did our best to see them carried out.

Those dead on that field are not there because of my honor. They are there because of the Gates lack of honor. You saw the goblins headed our way as sure as I did. You saw the cannons tear into them. We all cheered their death just as the Gate attacked. We were all taken by surprise.

I didn't expect to live when I attacked the king. My only thought was vengeance for the life of my men, and I almost got it.

That's when we found out the truth. Gunther himself was leading Great Gate to battle that day. His banner is the one that was unfurled against us. He knew that the Mote was the only the only thing to resist him back then and it was the only thing that can stand him against him now. So he took his chance and betrayed us.

Gunther is now preserved with some dark magic and the dead rise and do his bidding. It's likely that we will face our friends on the battlefield.

Right now the gate has us cut off from the west and is pursuing us. Things look dark. But we are dwarves! We draw life from the very heart of the stones around us. We are strong and the Gate knows it. Even now, hunted, starving, and tired the Gate fears us.

We run now for Stars Spire, which we hope is still our ally. We run hoping for salvation. But we will not run forever. Gunther will die. The Gate will be broken. Deep Mote will stand.

On that day, we can talk about my honor but not today.

Mr. X

2014-03-16, 06:52 PM

Willem sneers, but your words cool the steam that was rising from the gathering crowd, and stay what might have become a lynch mob...

"Pretty words, Falgen. An' they ring about as true as your claims that it was my family that attacked yours."

He spits on the ground, and stomps off.

Mr. X

2014-03-16, 08:18 PM

For Karazi:

Sinking into the earth, it is mere moments before the first of the massive wolves lopes into your midst.

You cannot see from beneath the earth, but you can hear...

The snuffling and scuffling, and the baying...

... The echoing calls of the pack are expected, but soon the bellow of war horns join the cacophony...

... The connection between the hated mottled races and the wolves has always been known, but this is the first time you've faced it with severity...

... It is but moments before there are numerous wargs and wolves above you, snuffling about, and searching for you, and mere minutes before a search party arrives...

By their foot falls and voices, you'd wager there were six hobgoblins, and possibly a dozen humans.

The wolves quickly scatter, working in tandem to track down the trail of your scent, while the search party remains in the area, turning every stone...

... An hour passes...

... And still they remain...

"... There's nothin' here..."

You hear one of the humans say,

"... We should head back..."

But then you here a sharp scuffle, as of some one getting picked up by the front of their shirt, and the sharp intonated and heavily accented voice of a hobgoblin,

"... Brave you be, if return to the Maimblade with nothing you would..."

... And so they remain... Mere inches above you.

...

... You feel yourself begin to sweat, the power that hides you beginning to slip through your fingers...

... When finally they depart.

...

When you can hold on no longer, you breach the surface... Perhaps five minutes after they've departed...

... The wind is in your favor, but you have little doubt that they will continue to circle back throughout the night...

You'll have to move, and quick.

LordDice

2014-03-16, 11:26 PM

Sighing wearily he quickly comes to the realization he'll be getting no good sleep tonight with all these searching for him...better to get some miles between him and the search party.

Groaning at the thought of more flying without sleep. It'd only serve to weaken him and put him further behind. Still have to get out of this net though.

Something that those wolves wouldn't like the smell of perhaps he thinks with a bit of grin on his face. Almost as soon as he finishes the thought his body starts reshaping to a form more suited to his earth loving soul.

Newly transformed into a skunk bear he starts trundling off into the woods a bit. Sniffing a bit he checks the wind and seems to still be able to smell a bit of his old self under a heavy mash of plants he'd used to cover his scent...seems it didn't work so well.

Coming up on a tree he sets about marking it a bit with the lovely fragrance of his new form, mentally holding his nose he actually rubs said scent all over him...although not terribly unpleasant while he's in this form.

Feeling a bit more secure about his smell he heads out, keeping low and quiet as he trundles along the forest floor. Eventually spying a somewhat hollowed out tree he digs his claws in and climbs up a bit, peering inside for other occoupants. Smelling none he sets about wriggling inside the somewhat rotten trunk.

Once inside he digs around a bit making a burrow for himself at the base of the trunk..satisfied he sets about getting some rest letting the sweet smell of dirt lure him to sleep.

Barthac

2014-03-16, 11:40 PM

Taalkar scratches his head for a moment as the crowd wanders away. Reaching into his gear he pulls out Ironjaw's notes on the Noraten conspiracy.

Oy, Whurgrim! Hold on a second. he calls as he lumbers after Willem.

Mr. X

2014-03-18, 12:50 AM

Willem spins on you, and gives you such a venomous look it nearly stops you in your tracks. His voice hisses out through clenched teeth, as his hands flex and tighten.

"Are you still talking?"

For Karazi:

Out of your own body, you have little trouble escaping the hobgoblins's drag net, and make good time over the next few days to reach Deep Mote.

With the wind at your back, it takes but two more days to reach the mountain fortress of the Dwarven Kingdom.

Barthac

2014-03-18, 01:27 AM

Look here Whurgrim, stow your bellows for a moment. I got something to show ya. he taps the notebook for emphasis. Looking around, Let's find somewhere a little more private.

Mr. X

2014-03-18, 04:57 PM

Willem scowls, but proffers his hand for the notebook.

Barthac

2014-03-18, 05:03 PM

Taalkar flips open the book to the page where Ironjaw wrote out his suspicions of the Noraten plot.

We found this in Ironjaw's tent after his death, he points out the few lines about the Noraten.

Ironjaw thought it was a Noraten plot that pit the Whurgrim and the Falgen against each other. He was looking for proof when he died.

He gives Willem a moment to read. Our mutual anger may be misplaced.

Mr. X

2014-03-19, 01:59 AM

Willem takes the book roughly, and you can see that he would like nothing better than to chuck it into the fire... In fact, you wager he nearly does. But he stops himself, and skims down the page, becoming more and more intent as he goes.

The last paragraph he stares at for some time, reading and re-reading it again and again...

Abruptly he snaps the journal shut, hands it back to you, and sticks his index finger in your face.

"Don't you dare think you'll ever be worth more to me than a pile o' stool worms."

He turns and stomps off, still fuming with anger, but you can see the wheels turning none the less.

Barthac

2014-03-19, 09:11 AM

Taalkar stands holding the book, I think stool worms rate higher than trog dung. He scratches his head, I wish Karazi were here to figure it out.

Nothing else to be accomplished here.

Mr. X

2014-03-20, 02:11 AM

SCENE SHIFT (Karazi to the foreground)

After three days of near continual flight, you finally crest a mountain peak to look down upon the fortress of Deep Mote...

... To be perfectly frank, what is visible of the Dwarven city upon the surface is less than wholly awe inspiring...

... It's walls are not nearly so tall as those of the hulking fortress of Citadel, nor even so wide and all enveloping as those surrounding Beluvah...

... For it is from the nature of its position, and from the very mountain itself, that Deep Mote gains its strength.

Like a dwarf itself, Deep Mote's walls are squat at sturdy, and hold a commanding view over the few, narrow, mountain passes that reach them.

From atop those walls, fifty men could hold a hundred thousand... And, if you believe the stories, had.

... So it is that you sail over the only city known to have stood against Gunter the Fist...

LordDice

2014-03-21, 09:27 AM

Taking a sharp dive as he clears the wall he swoops into the courtyard still at speed, so desperate to be rid of this form he starts changing a bit early.

Coming to a rolling stop 30 yards later he dizzily gets to his feet in the small dustcloud looking quite confused and tired. Latching onto a nearby Guards shoulder he uses him to steady himself.

report fro Coughing a bit he tries to regain his voice, having not used it for a few days.

"Report for the Garrison commander, Army was broken at Beluvah...get me to the commander now." Taking nearly all his effort just to get those few words out, the guards quickly realize just how tired and worn out he is.

Mr. X

2014-04-01, 02:10 AM

Your abrupt appearance is met by the sudden ringing of drawing steel, but the moment passes quickly as the guardsmen recognize you, and rush to give you an arm to lean on, as others run off to notify the command.

You are led to a mess hall, and given food and ale, while you wait.

At length, the runner returns, saying,

"Dylan Grimaxe will see you, when you are prepared to present yourself."

LordDice

2014-04-01, 08:28 AM

Grabbing a fist full of roast from the table he turns to the runner "This really can't wait for me to get presentable, Lets go" Ushering the Runner out the door he follows closely, occasionally tearing off a chunk of roast with his teeth.

Mr. X

2014-04-01, 04:32 PM

You are lead beneath the battlements, down narrow stairwells carved into the living stone, and to the offices of the Garrison's Commander.

The runner knocks twice on the door.

From within, you hear a familiar, and heavily respected voice.

"Enter..."

The runner opens the door for you, and then departs.

Within, Dylan Grimaxe sits ceremoniously.

His office, like his armor, is impeccably clean and well maintained.

He peers at you over the polished granite desk, logging and disapproving of every nick in your haggard presentation with eyes that might be smoldering onyx.

They say that Dylan Grimaxe earned his name when his Hammer Company, out on maneuvers, was set upon by a tribe of ettin.

They say that he was the only one to return, but that when he did, it was dragging a string of heads as long as a jeweled neckless.

Since then, he has built himself up as a tower of discipline and duty. A shining example of what it is to be a Dwarf.

Such is the stature of the braided beard before you, and the thrumming voice that states,

"Report."

LordDice

2014-04-01, 07:20 PM

Slumping into a chair Karazi grimly looks at the sternfaced Commander.

"I don't think we've ever met, a fortnight ago I and my brother were second in command under General Ironjaw."

"Then things started to go straight to hell, Ironjaw was lost leaving the two of us in command, Alliance with Star Spire was going strong. Great Gate arrived shortly after to the field, and things were odd. All the information I'd ever heard about Albert was of his Ruthlessness, we'd been more prepared for such as that."

Instead he's a drugged up fop, It struck us odd sure. But we desperately needed those numbers to actually push the walls of Beluvah. So we overlooked it, as did Star Spire..almost a boon we thought. Don't have to worry as badly about him just doing something crazy."

Pausing a moment to tear off a chunk of roast and gnaw for a moment until swallowing.

"Sorry, haven't eaten but the occasional grub in days now."

"I guess we missed the signs, My brother and I were never highly trained in the traditional battlefield arts, Gate shuffled some troops around and we didn't think much of it to be honest. We'll be living with that for the rest of our time I suppose."

"I'd imagine you've got a general idea of what happened now, but there's more and none of it good. Some nights ago we awoke to an alarm, there was an army retreating into us.
A host of some hundred thousand strong, being pushed by goblins right into us and not even making a sound. Undead...the lot of them. Flying no flag it wasn't immediately obvious what was going on."

"Some magics later and that host wasn't much of an issue, a windstorm crippling that entire front as the cannons pounded them. Then came the rest, Main force of the Great Gate hit us from the south, Hardly Fortified...and from the north a massive wedge of heavy Cav bearing down from the north...that was better fortified, it seemed as though they could actually hold somewhat."

"As the battle continued we managed to clear a path to Albert and his Guardsmen, attempting to cut the head off this snake we went for it....honestly we were running out of options. They fielded so many necromancers...for everyone one that died on either side. It felt like they'd just rise back up and keep fighting for the enemy."

"As my brother managed to sink his Longaxe into the chest of Albert, we almost had a bit of joy...but it wasn't to be. At his side, an Emissary of the Eternal Order...Blasted Necromancers, but no...not just a Necromancer."

"In trying to save that fool Albert he was unmasked and revealed...the true power behind the Gate and their treachery. The still animated, undead King Gunthar...First of his name."

"With a shouted word of power my brother and I were helpless before him, tearing my partner from my side...ripping him right out of this plane of existence. Such is his power...incredible"

"As we were paralyzed the fight continued...as one of the Godsent jumped into the fray. A giant Dragonborn named Kulkov, managing the only blow to land on Gunthar..but only chopping off a finger. He was shortly intercepted by another Dragonborn under the command of Gunthar, as they took their brawl to the skies numerous Dragonspears were sent there way, and one finally found it's mark."

"As their blood mingled upon that battlefield a great chasm was opened between the armies and from there came a sight not seen upon the face of this world in an age. An Elder Wyrm clawed it's way into the battlefield and unleashed such destruction upon both sides the likes of which I've never seen and hope to never see again"

"As the Wyrm began his rampage one of the godsent managed to get a hand on my brother and I teleporting us away from the site, some miles south. After some time away from his power the hold Gunthar had over us fell. A Seer with the Godsent managed some sort of spell to regain sight of the battlefield. She saw the Armies pulling apart, the remaining dwarves had been forced into retreating south whilst the Gate pulled back to the West."

"The Wyrm assaulted the Blighted at Beluvah, to be faced with their Leader...we're still not sure. It used to be a man named Malthos...We may never know exactly what happened to him, but she saw him fight the Great Wyrm to a standstill, nearly killing the Wyrm. Something I can hardly belive...but a trusted source. Afterwards she said the Great Wyrm retreated into the Northern Forest, presumably to heal himself"

"Words were had with the Godsent, both good and bad I suppose. My Brother and I seem to be poor diplomats even at the best of times and we departed to rejoin the army, or rather what was left of it. After some rather tired walking in the wintery plains we finally rejoined them. Hardly an Army anymore...starving they were."

"My Brother thought it best to try and head to Star Spire and see if we couldn't get some assistance for the troops and help shore them up temporarily vs any advances Gunthar might make. As my training in the Stoneshaper ways lets me shift forms, I opted to make the best time I could here..flying all day long for days to bring you this news that those here might stand a chance should Gunthar turn his sights here straight away"

"I've setup a time to contact my brother so you can relay orders depending upon how you wish to proceed in regards to the remnants of the army, at Sundown I can contact him ...I was actually supposed to contact him every evening as I was going...but honestly it was far too dangerous as I camped each night"

"So that's the main points, I'll sit down with a scribe if you like and give the complete details as best I can, I'm sure you'll need those."

Standing from the chair wearily he finishes the last bite of roast, wiping his fingers off on a bit of furred lining to his armor he reaches up to the rank insignia emblazoned upon his stone chestpiece and with a thought the stone of his chestpiece flows away from it. Letting him merely pull it away as if not even attached.

Setting the insignia upon the desk he continues talking, a bit choked up. "I failed an enormous amount of dwarves out there, I did my best sure..but it wasn't good enough. I was never cut out to command dwarves, My final duty was this report..."

"If you still require aid through the coming struggles, I will be there..but I cannot serve in the Garrison anymore..."

Mr. X

2014-04-02, 01:14 AM

Grimaxe is clearly taken aback as your tale becomes wilder and wilder, but hears it all in stoic silence.

Once you've finished he sits still a moment longer, absorbing it all, before speaking.

"That is quite the tale."

He takes your proffered badge,

"Your request for discharge is noted, and shall doubtless be approved. Before that can be done, however, I must require that you report at once to the stenographer, that your report can be taken down in solid copy for future reference... No doubt it shall be needed.

Report there at once. The sooner that task is complete, the better it shall be for everyone.

Dismissed."

LordDice

2014-04-02, 03:24 PM

"Very well, I'll head there now...He's likely to think it's outright fiction." As he steps out the door a last comment to Grimaxe "Send for me at sundown if you wish to contact them out there, that is the only time it'll work"

Barthac

2014-04-02, 03:27 PM

Taalkar stopped for a second and stretched his back. They had been marching for days with no food and little rest. He stared for a second at the setting sun. He pulls out the piece of cloth from his brother, By Moradin, he should have made it by now.

Mr. X

2014-04-04, 03:54 PM

You are just finishing relating your tale to the stenographer, when another runner arrives, saying:

"Karazi Falgen, the Mountain King summons you to his presence."

LordDice

2014-04-05, 12:37 AM

Turning to the Stenographer he comments "Busy day, ...Maybe I should have cleaned up a bit" Before heading out the door following the runner.

Mr. X

2014-04-05, 02:12 AM

Following the runner, you are lead deep into the bowels of Deep Mote, to the King's Seat, and the Council Hall.

Though it's been only a few months since last you were here, you are again struck by many of the marvels of the Dwarven Capitol... Namely, how unassuming the town upon the surface is...

Deep Mote was born from humble beginnings that are still very apparent upon the surface.

The town, enveloped by those sturdy walls, is little more than a trading post with the surface world... The gateway into the depths is still the humble mineshaft from which the city was born...

Even beneath the surface the shafts and passages are narrow and railed for carts, meandering for miles through the mountain as they were carved to follow the retreating veins of iron and tin... Humble metals themselves.

These only serve to further strengthen the stronghold, as even an army that breached the walls could not march more than for for or five men abreast into the depths, where they would be met not only by the stalwart defenders they would have been so heavily bled by above, but also by the array of traps, pitfalls, murder holes, and controlled cave-ins, that now lace the upper mines.

Deeper and deeper, the tunnels stretch in all directions, and extend vastly beyond the limits of the wall above, and indeed, many of those passages lead nowhere... Stopping dead when the vein they followed ended.

It was only in the depths, nearly a mile beneath the surface, when the mine was all but dry, that gold-bearing quartz was struck, and new life flowed into the fort... And it is only at that depth, that the glorious halls of the dwarves were excavated, and the city as you know it began to take shape.

deeper and deeper, as you walk now through the labyrinth of passages as familiar to you as the boots on your feet, you feel a quickening of your pulse as you approach the Hall of the Forebears...

Paving the way to the Royal Seat, the gate to the wide corridor is wrought of wrought iron woven with mythril, and flanked by great marble statues of ancient dwarven heroes who's names you've long forgotten.

And within...

The passage is two miles long, but might stretch forever.

It is a hundred feet wide, a hundred feet high of smoothed and polished granite... And every inch of it carven...

Carved with the names of every honored dwarf to have ever lived and died is service to the throne, since the time when the first King was took his seat here.

There could be little higher an honor than to have your name carved among them.

At the end, was the gate to the Council Hall. There the runner leaves you.

Within, you are met by a royal honor guard and a Council representative who greets you.

"Karazi Falgen, welcome to the Council Hall. His Majesty is expecting you, and shall be prepared to receive you shortly.

Quarters have been prepared for you, where your honor guard shall escort you.

I suggest you take the opportunity to tidy up."

He pauses a moment to check the heavy ledger he carries.

"It appears that you have not been given authorization to wander these halls, and so I must insist that you remain within your quarters until the His Majesty calls for you.

This way please."

Closing his ledger, he indicates a passage off to your left.

LordDice

2014-04-05, 08:31 PM

Looking around the Quarters he spies a washbowl and pitcher, carefully setting his pack down he unbuckles the armor that's been on for days and starts washing up...much easier in a form of stone he finds. As the road grime starts to fall away his skin regains that sheen of freshly polished rock. Grabbing a small cloth nearby he starts scrubbing at his armor, All but the most stubborn bits manage to wash away leaving a well worn bit of stone plate. Nicks and gauges one can only expect to see on such a piece of non-decorative armor.

Picking up the seldom used Axe he looks at the now ancient bloodstains still on it before setting it down, it's more of a reminder than anything of losing the entire clan. Lastly picking up his shield he goes about knocking the dirt off it...buckles long since caked in grime needing to be cleaned off.

As he finishes buckling the armor back on and picking up his pack that so rarely leaves his side he idly looks around the room for awhile, waiting for the summons. Spotting a block of soft soapstone and an assortment of tools on a small desk nearby he occupies himself with some carving.

Slowly taking the shape of the Great Wyrm he saw oh so briefly a few days ago...Might even look decent if he hadn't skipped so much of learning the old ways of carving stone, no he settled for magic far too often.

Craft Stoneworking...Cause I can ! [roll0]

Mr. X

2014-04-05, 08:59 PM

Working the soapstone takes time, but eventually the details start to come out. Crude at first, but then with growing clarity as you progress, though your fumblings break off the creature's wings before you can finish them...

... An hour passes...

... And then another...

... And then another...

... And still no one comes to retrieve you.

... Outside your door, your honor guards flank the doorway, but refuse to speak with you beyond awkward small talk.

... Another hour passes...

... Your quarters are adequately appointed, providing a shelf of books, a work desk, a comfortable chair and couch, a washroom, and even a bed, should you desire to rest. And so there is a bit you can do to keep yourself busy as the time wears on, but even so, you find yourself anxiously twiddling your fingers and tapping your feet...

... Another hour passes...

You try your hand at the soapstone again, with slightly more success, only losing one of the wings this time. You find that working the stone has a calming, almost therapeutic effect on your nerves... While it lasts...

... Another hour passes...

... Day and night are meaningless this far beneath the earth, but you must presume that it is well after dark by now...

... Finally, there is a rapping on the door, and you leap to your feet to greet your escort... Only to find that it is merely a servant bringing you an evening meal...

(Actions?)

LordDice

2014-04-06, 01:41 AM

Taking the meal from the servant he thanks him quietly. As the door shuts once again the quiet starts to worm a bit of unease into his stomach, something isn't right here maybe... Surely the King would be interested in this news quickly...or maybe just wants to read over the transcript first.

But the paranoia can't help but settle, maybe the Whugrim have someone in high position round these parts..

Wait and see...maybe in the morning something will come up.

Looking at the door he locks it from the inside...but it doesn't seem enough. With a quick word of power the stone of the floor reshapes into a giant hand blockade upon the door, Maybe just paranoia but he'll sleep better.

Settling down he eats the dinner brought to him, before carving a bit more. Before long he ends up resting on the rather comfortable bed.

Changing Spell list provided I make it through the night alive.

Mr. X

2014-04-06, 02:07 AM

Paranoia gnaws at your mind through the night, robbing you of your rest, despite the comfortable bed.

The worry seems all for naught, though, as the resting hours pass without event...

... As does all of the next day...

... Thrice, your meals arrive, your guard is relieved, and servants arrive to make up the room, but there is no sign of any representative coming to allow you to present your intelligence...

... As you settle in for another lonely evening, you note that, if nothing else, your soapstone carvings are improving quite dramatically.

For Karazi:

Gain 2 Ranks in Craft(Stoneworking).

For Taalkar:

It's been five days now, since your brother left... And four days of marching on the brink of starvation.

The winter storms hit hard and cold... More than a few men succumbed to the exposure, and even you have contracted frostbite in your toes and fingertips...

A day ago, you caught up with Star Spire's slower moving force.

While you were kept well clear of any diplomatic interaction, that night you and the men were provided long tents and fires, and meager rations of gruel mixed with chunks of bacon, from the Boy King's limited stores.

You are given to understand that he has offered to provide shelter to Deep Mote's army in his lands through the winter.

But it's been five days... Even accounting for delays Karazi should have reached Deep Mote by now... Or at least contacted you...

... You stare down at the sack of dust that you've been staring at every night since he left...

... Something must have happened.

LordDice

2014-04-06, 01:32 PM

Another wasted day...what are they waiting on. Maybe it'd be worth a poke around this evening for a few hours at least.

A word of power and the doorway is Barred once more...no sense in making it incredibly obvious he's gone if anyone checks. Another word of power and his sense of smell is incredibly heightened..all the better to track with. That done he slides into the stone floor of the fortress starting to scout around, feeling around carefully in the walls between rooms and occasionally poking his head through a ceiling to gain a glimpse of what's going on.

Mr. X

2014-04-07, 02:17 AM

After so many months on the surface, the operating/resting cycle of Deep Mote takes a little adjusting to... Day and night have no meaning here, and so working and resting periods are divided into shifts, such that there is never a time when the gears of the city cease to turn.

While Earth Elementals are not uncommon in Dwarven lands, your having begun to pick up their talents is a trait that is uniquely your own... You encounter no obstacle in gliding through the stone from your room...

... Keeping your head down, well aware of the dangers you would face should you be caught, you have a look around.

You appear to be in a Council Residence area. There are many rooms like your own. Many occupied by working nobles, or delegates, and just as many maintained, but sitting empty.

Some others appear to be awaiting summons, while many appear able to come and go as they please.

Like the mines above, the passages here wind irregularly, following the grain of the living stone as though they had a life of their own... It would be simplicity itself to become lost down here...

One method of direction, however, is the intricate network of cart rails that run through all the major passages.

The logistics of how they must be organized defies you, but in your years walking the walls, a cart never failed to arrive shortly after you'd rang the bell at the stop, or erred in depositing you at the stop you requested.

You are able to determine, as you might have expected, that you are well removed from the Council Chambers themselves.

LordDice

2014-04-07, 05:35 PM

After getting some rest following his search around the area he decides enough is enough, confronting the guards outside the following morning.

"I'll be contacting my brother tonight at sunset, if they want to have someone sit in that'll be fine but this sitting around is pointless."

"Afterwards I'll be on my way...I've already made my report after all and I've got to make a pilgrimage very soon. "

Mr. X

2014-04-07, 06:04 PM

The guard, in his official capacity, raises an eyebrow.

"... Ye intend te leave the King's halls wit'out his say so?"

He plants his feet before you.

"That's a gross violation o' conduct, an' rude besides.

His Majesty's a very busy man, but very correct. He'll get te ye when he's good an' ready, an' ye'll wait his pleasure.

By the gods, man, ye don't come inta a man's home, eat his meat and mead, sleep in his bed, an then leave wit'out thankin' 'im, do ye?"

He leans in conspiratorially,

"Now, I should'na be sayin' this, but I'm given te understand ye got some pretty serious charges bein' leveled against ye... Ye would'na want 'is Majesty te rush 'is judgement, an better waitin' here than in tha dungeon."

He steps back into place.

"Now ye dinnae hear any o' that from me, ye hear?"

Mr. X

2014-04-07, 06:08 PM

For Taalkar.

Please make a Spot Check.

LordDice

2014-04-08, 01:07 AM

"Aye, would be rude indeed...but I've been that before. Charges though...first I'm hearing of that. Guess I can't say I'm too surprised. I guess I'll keep working on my carving till I'm sent for."

Turning back to his room he idly carves a bit more, already tired of waiting really. As the quiet starts to get to him he even casts a few spells just to make the time pass a bit more quickly, eventually around sunset or as near as he can figure he gathers up some ash from the fireplace and spreads it out into a even circle...as the power starts to flow into it the ash starts floating, the mystical energies reaching out to his brother.

Mr. X

2014-04-08, 11:07 AM

For Taalkar:

You are beginning to suspect a watch has been placed on you...

Nothing overt, and perhaps not even official... But you've been feeling eyes on your back for a few days now, often conjoined with disgruntled mutterings.

In the miserable cold and hunger, after such a line of terrible defeats, moral is low, and close to breaking.

You've little doubt that the men are looking for someone to blame, and after Whurgrim's words, you suspect that you're the most likely choice...

... Even so, dwarves are steadfast, despite any feelings they might have, and so you don't believe you're in any direct danger, so long as no official order against you is given.

... If the watchers are official, that is a different story entirely...

... But you're cold and hungry too...

... Maybe you're just imagining things...

-----------

That night, as you settle into your corner of the communal tent, the bag of dust finally shifts, and you hear the whisper of your brother's voice...

Barthac

2014-04-08, 11:29 AM

Taalkar bolts up in bed and grabs the sack of sand and ashes.

Brother, he gasps, the worry and fear apparent in his voice, Is that you?

LordDice

2014-04-08, 06:18 PM

Hearing his brothers voice through the whispering sounds of the ash brings some relief to his heart. "Aye, I've made it to Deep Mote and delivered the report...but things don't going so well. Looks like they might be bringing me, or maybe us up on charges based on my report. I'm not sure how this will play out, I can only hope they'll at least take the warning about Gunthar seriously."

"Are you well Brother ?, have you made it to Star Spire yet, will they provide aid ?"

Barthac

2014-04-08, 07:10 PM

Moradin be praised! We heard some wargs howling in the night after you left and well... He looks around, trying to find a more secluded spot to talk. Seeing a full tent, he walks towards the opening of the tent while talking, We met up with the spire a little while ago but it's slow going with the tired and wounded. The men have been fed and are sleeping warmly for the first time in nearly a fortnight. It's not the tunnels of home but it feels pretty close after all that hard marching.

Does the mote have any orders for us?

LordDice

2014-04-08, 07:17 PM

"None they've cared to share with me, I'm just waiting in a rather nice council room waiting on a summons from the King...Kinda thought they'd get to it sooner but I just don't know what's going on really."

"At the very least I'd have thought they'd have orders for you...but it seems not. You know if they are bringing charges...it's likely to be on both of us. If they ever get around to actually telling me what's going on...I may end up summoning you in a pinch."

Barthac

2014-04-08, 07:45 PM

Heh, hopefully not to help you fight your way out, Taalkar chuckles rather loudly. Seeing he is now outside he walks a small distance from the camp, seeking out a little privacy.

Brother, something is wrong here. I feel like I am being watched. Willem Whurgrim is here. By pappys beard, how did I end up with him here. He made a bit of a scene but I managed to show him Ironjaw's notes. I was hoping it would calm him down but I think I may have made things worse. I've been keeping me head down since we met up with the spire but I got a queasy feeling.

LordDice

2014-04-08, 07:49 PM

Leaning intently towards the ashes and lowering his voice a bit... "Do you think they'd try something, Like what happened with the stone bolt that one time ?

Barthac

2014-04-08, 08:00 PM

I din'no, brother. I feel like I might be safer with Gunthar at this point. An idea suddenly enters his head.

Maybe I should see if the boy king would grant me... whatchacallit... salvation?

LordDice

2014-04-08, 08:08 PM

"Salvation ? I think you mean Sanctuary brother. It might be for the best if it's really that bad. You think there would be any political fallout if you asked for such ? It might not look good if they do bring us up on charges to have you already requesting Sanctuary with Star Spire"

Barthac

2014-04-08, 08:54 PM

Part of me already thinks we ain't welcome in Deep Mote anymore anyway.

These are dark days brother. Every night I sleep in fear of what the dawn brings. I reckon you oughta be able to just walk outta the mote whenever ya wish. Don't be afraid to leave.

Oy, I almost forgot. Have ya found Sid?

LordDice

2014-04-09, 12:19 AM

"No, I haven't gone to the Sacred Place to recover him yet...Not for lack of desire. I'm not sure about just walking out of here, it seems like it might be a little unwise."

"Let's see what the King has to say first at least...if it's the renegades life for us then so be it. But otherwise we've still got to be focused on the real enemy...Gunthar"

Barthac

2014-04-09, 12:48 AM

What do you expect us to do about him? Dinna matter now anyway. Stay safe brother. I'm off to the boy king.

Taalkar turns back to the tent to grab his stuff. He suddenly realizes he is wearing all his worldly possessions. He takes a quick stock, Moradin's Nuts, I lost my favorite crossbow.

With that he turns and heads towards the Star Spire camp. Hailing a guard, You there. I finally heard from Deep Mote and I have a message for the king. Take me to him quickly.

LordDice

2014-04-09, 01:13 AM

As his brother finishes off the conversation he chimes in "You stay safe as well Brother, I'll contact you in a few days, if I don't reach you for some reason I may just summon you here, Risk be damned"

Mr. X

2014-04-10, 02:08 AM

For Taalkar:
You are required to wait for more than an hour, but the Boy King does agree to see you. As you enter into his tent, he says,

"Taalkar, you were not a person I expected to see... I am given to understand that you have been removed from official capacity."

He sits back in his chair, adjusting the silver circlet upon his brow,

"Nevertheless, you served well under General Ironjaw, if somewhat less so left to your own devices, and so I can spare a moment for you.

What can I do for you?"

Mr. X

2014-04-10, 02:14 AM

For Karazi:

The hours slip by like days, and the days pass like months...

You can no longer tell if your waking timeframe correlates with the surface day/night cycle, and the passage of every moment is sharpened by the acute absence of your stoic companion...

Another day passes without summons...

That day stretches into a week...

... And still there is no word of your being called, or even if progress on your case is being made...

Barthac

2014-04-10, 09:31 AM

My life will not be recorded in the hall as a great general, it seems.

Taalkar looks down at the ground for a moment, shuffling his feet slightly. Why wasn't Kar here to do the talking? He was always better at this stuff.

As you said, lord, I am not the most popular dwarf at the moment. My brother is at Deep Mote trying to give his full report and has been told that we are being brought up on some kind of charges. I imagine someone has to suffer for the loss of the host at Beluvah.

Truth is that my brother and I have been outcasts for over forty years, forced to live by our wits alone, and only got dragged into this whole business by Ironjaw. We have no solid evidence but my gut tells me that plots are brewing in the Mote against my brother and me.

I ain't one for swearing allegiences, but I ain't never betrayed a trust, either. I've come to ask for sanctuary. I don't have anything to offer ya but my blade, but I can't run and hide when the world is at stake.

Mr. X

2014-04-11, 01:15 AM

The Boy King sits back, pursing his lips.

"Sanctuary...?"

He leans forward.

"... Taalkar... Your valor as a warrior is without question, and the alligence of your blade would be a great boon to me and my Kingdom...

... But you are asking me to aid you in an act of disertion from your army, and defection from your kingdom... Who is my ally...

... This thing, I cannot do."

He takes a deep breath.

"... The Black King again lives in Great Gate... I ought to have known... I smelled the rat... I ought not have left when I did... But... I had no evidence to support my suspicion...

...

... Deep Mote's defeat is as much on my head as it is yours..."

He sits back again, and for the barest moment, he looks merely a boy again... Trying to do right by all whom have expectations of him, and inevitably failing at every other turn...

... But the moment passes, and as he sits forward, all you see is the young monarch.

"With The Fist alive and present, I need Deep Mote as a strong ally, even if their army is decimated. Granting you sanctuary would only weaken an already tenuous relationship..."

He takes a sip from his goblet,

"That being said... Should one of my horses go missing, you will be presumed guilty of whatever charges are being brought against you in Deep Mote, and you will be guilty of horse theft in my lands...

... And I can promise you that over the next several months, I shall have far better things to do than to hunt down a horse thief."

He sits back again,

"There are many places a horsethief might go, but if one were to follow the highest opportunity, one might explore the great southern forest...

... I am given to understand that the elves have fled their ancestral lands, taking great ships across the sea to parts unknown.

... A free agent might receive great favor in my court, if he could explore their cities, and report what remained...

If you take my meaning."

LordDice

2014-04-11, 01:17 AM

As he awakens yet another morning without summons he eats yet another mild breakfast and prepares for a diffrent kind of day. He's fed up at this great waste of time and considering his options he eventually pens a note to the King.

When you find this I'll be gone, I've timed the guards shifts well enough now to slip away and give me a bit of a lead.
I'm aware this is tantamount to admitting to whatever trumped up charges you think to bring upon me and my brother, the very fact
you're more concerned with said charges than the serious threat Gunthar and the Blight poses fills me with nothing but dread for the
dwarven people.

The threat is real, ignore it at your peoples peril. I've done far more than was ever expected of my original assignments...they might not
have gone perfectly... but by the gods I did my damnedest to do right for our people.

I'm needed elsewhere, I'll likely be back someday. Gods I hope you're all still here when I do come back, Don't give him an easy opening
Prepare for Gunthar, you can be sure he's prepared for you.

-Karazi Falgen

Setting the best carving of the Great Wyrm he's managed on the corner of the note, he sets out. To his old home. To Sid.

Barthac

2014-04-12, 12:29 AM

A little slow on the uptake, Taalkar strokes his chin thoughtfully. If only there was someone available to a smile indicates a new dawning of understanding. Yer a shrewd one there, aint ya.

I find you an honorable man, my Lord. I hope one day to prove my honor to you, I owe ya that much

He stands and winks conspiratorially at the king, I'll be off now, gotta see a man about a horse.

Mr. X

2014-04-12, 12:52 AM

"Wait until midnight, and then make your way around the western side of my camp.

You'll want to move quickly, as I'll have have to send a patrol after you in the morning. My men are excellent trackers, but if you can out distance them, they'll be forced to return once they've reached their patrol limit."

He gives you a meaningful look.

"You will not harm any of my men. If you are caught, you will surrender peaceably, and return to face the justice of whatever you are accused of."

He frowns.

"I advise you to avoid that eventuality."

Barthac

2014-04-14, 09:11 AM

Understood, sire.

Tallkar crisply turns and walks out. He waits around until close to midnight trying to stay moving around the camp without attracting notice. 2

Mr. X

2014-04-14, 06:31 PM

The hours move slowly, as the camps pack up, march for the day, and then settle back in for the night.

It takes a little doing, but after a bit, you are fairly certain that you have ditched anyone who might be following you, and make your way around the western edge of Star Spire's camp...

... There you find a lone horse tied to a post. Saddled, with its stirrups adjusted for your hight, a stool to aid your ascent, and full saddle bags.

Where you go from here, is up to you.

Mr. X

2014-04-19, 02:30 AM

Scene Shift (Karazi to the front)

It is with a heavy heart that you scribe your missive, place it beneath the carven wyrm, and transmute your essence to that of the mountain, to sink into the stone of the floor a final time...

... With this act you sever any link you might have had with the Dwarven capital and the Mountain King... From this day forth, you will be hunted as a criminal. Your family's already dishonored line shall end with you, and your names shall never be carven in the Hall...

... But an honored place in history is not worth much if there is no one left to read or remember it.

On all sides, you find yourself beset by enemies... The least of which are your own people. The Mountain King himself expecting to level gods know what charges against you, and for what? Perhaps merely allowing the army's defeat at the hands of Great Gate's betrayal... But losing battles is an accepted part of leadership, and while serious, could hardly be considered a proper crime... But what then? Could the Whurgrim of Naretan conspire to bring greater charges? Even if they could, what charge could they bring?

... Someone assassinated Ironjaw... And attempted to frame you for it...

... There is no doubt; staying in Deep Mote would be unwise.

Beyond whatever trumped up crimes you might be charged for, Gunthar the Fist rides afield again... If you had to make a wager, you'd place it on him trying to conquer the whole of the continent again, with Deep Mote and the Dwarves at the top of his kill list... A greater threat you have never heard of in any history...

... But what of the Blight? When the dragon appeared, even the ancient Ballistae of Great Gate failed to slow it, and had it remained it would doubtless have destroyed both armies without significant effort... But Blight Shaman, a single man, fought it to a stand still... A feat even The Fist failed to achieve...

... Who, then, is the true enemy?

...

...

... Pondering these troubles, you almost don't even notice the instinctive course you follow...

... You cannot see, merged with the mountain, but you can feel... Melded with the earth you become aware of the steady vibrations that course though it, like rivers through an open plain.

The tectonic plates from which the mountains were born might only move an inch every century, but they never truly cease to move... But so vast are they that the scrape of their infinitesimal movements resonates through the mountains as might sound through a ringing bell... As such is so easy, even, to allow yourself to get caught up in these seismic channels, that you find yourself getting nearly swept off like a leaf in the rain...

... But beneath it all, a draw... Like the hook in a fish...

... The heart around which the Stoneshaper's were built... No other group understood its power, and no other group was ever able to tap it... And you are the last of they that remain...

... You can almost feel the source reaching out to you even stronger than you reach out to it, and by its guidance, you surf the seismic channels the greater distance through unto the halls of your ancestral home.

Mythril Keep.

To be found here would cost you your life... Despite your acceptance into the Garrison, so many years ago, your exile from The Keep was never lifted.

Here in your home, by every law, you are a trespasser.

Most of the tunnels of the Falgen Quarter have collapsed, and remained untouched since your departure... But the chamber of the Source remains ever as it was, and it is there that you emerge.

Mr. X

2014-04-19, 04:05 PM

For Taalkar:

Riding Southward from the camp, you make good time, and by noon the next day you are fairly certain you have outdistanced any persuit.

The Star Spire becomes visible long before the city named for it does, reaching thin and sharp as a needle into the heavens... Its shape and scale play an odd trick on the eyes, making it difficult to grasp its size or hight with any certainty.

The city named for the structure, is one of the largest on the continent, and home to more than five million souls. Close to both coastal trade, and the learning center of Clear Water, it is prosperous and well built. It's structures and towers many stories tall, and architectual wonders in their own rights...

So the scale of the Spire may be comprehended when one realizes that the supporting base of the Star Spire (an iron lattice work of six spider-like legs that plant themselves into the ground at points across the city, and alone make up perhaps a mere sixteenth of the Spire's total hight), dwarfs the next tallest stricture by several degrees...

Truly, if you were to stand atop its peak, you might simply reach out and touch the stars...

LordDice

2014-04-20, 02:14 AM

Snapping out of his troublesome thoughts as he enters this most holy place...

An eerie light pervades the room, quite a bit brighter than he remembers...the Glowmoss that had been carefully sculpted around intricately carved stalactites has grown and covered the entire ceiling of the chamber... The air is still, heavy....uncirculated. As it should be, this most precious up welling of pure earthen energies coming together into a single point was one of the greatest secrets of the Falgen Stoneshapers. Some ancient magic keeps the air here breathable, likely put in place by his ancient ancestors. At least that's what the elders told him as he voiced concerns once upon a time before being sealed into the room to meditate upon the Font.

Reacquainting himself with the large chamber he walks to the Wall of History, whereon engraven images show the ancient meeting between Dwarf and Elemental here. A joining of two races that would shape his clan for the rest of time. Tracing over the engravings he finally comes to one of the last images on the Wall, the newest engraving depicts a stone heart being implanted into a young dwarf....himself. A dramatization to be sure, but not entirely inaccurate as he remembers the ceremony that bound a piece of stone into his very core, the rest of that stone forming into an elemental.

Looking on sadly he glances at all the panels of the Wall that have yet to be filled and most likely never will be.

Finding himself in a sullen mood it helps not to look at the Wall of Ancestors, thick with the names and deeds of those Stoneshapers that had gone before him. Coming to his name at the very end he's tempted to fill in his deeds... but it just doesn't feel right, who will ever see this again but him anyhow.

Turning away from all these bad memories he focuses on the center of the room, a simple raised platform. There is no need for glowing runes or flashy magic to make even the most mundane realize there is an incredible force weighing upon that very point in the center of the room. Weighing is the best word for it, for as he gets closer he can feel the power pulling him down, trying to make him one with the earth.

At the base of the steps a large basin sits filled with quicksilver of all things, stepping into and kneeling he goes about the ritual cleansing dipping his hands into the liquid he washes away the impurities of the flesh, his mind settling as he starts moving oh so slowly. The cleansing takes over 15 hours but he hardly notices, time slipping through his fingers like the quicksilver. Moving ever so slowly, carefully he comes closer and closer to the center of the chamber... a few more hours finds him centered in the chamber, physically and mentally.

Letting himself go, he merges with the living stone as best he can broadcasting his desire to be reunited with his Bonded once again.

Mr. X

2014-04-21, 01:48 AM

With a rush of like being dunked in an icy pool, you merge body mind and soul with the font of power...

As before, you feel your fate being re-woven into that of the earth and mountain, and you are flooded with visions of past or present, or perhaps what is to come...

... Reeling, you are aware of this Font, and are just beginning to gather your bearings, when the earth splits open in great magma spewing chasms that splinter off the Source like a spider's web, reaching across the face of the continent to other similar Sources, where the reaction occurs again... And again... Until the whole of the continent is shattered... Broken, and scoured clean in purging volcanic fire...

... But then the vision shifts, and the devastation is gone...

...

... The wind howls in your ears, as you find yourself standing atop a jutting rock reaching out into ocean, where the strength of the Mountain meets the might of the Sea... Beyond a costal town can be seen, but you cannot recognize which it may be...

For a moment, all is calm. The day is bright and clear, and even at this distance, you can see the people scurrying about their daily business, and ships with their billowing white sails glide serenely over the waters... But then something changes...

... At first is seems as though the ocean is boiling...

... Swarms of dolphins, hippocampi, sharks, & fish of the sea flood towards the land, mad with fear, beaching to wriggle hopelessly or pushing through the reef, to be torn asunder in their terror.

The waters of the coast are swiftly rendered pink with their flesh & blood.

With a great heave, the tide draws out, fast and far, capsizing ships & leaving the barnacled docks of the port bare & somehow vulnerable; naked without the Sea to gird them.

Even the simple molluscs about your feet seem to be fleeing, a sad sense of desperation in their painfully slow retreat.

It is then that the thing appears... Rising from the depths to blot out the sun, Wreathed in a rainbow of razor sharp coral, and stinking of mud & debris from the primordial depths, the creature is mountainous... It explodes from the depths, arcing it's sinuous body leagues across the sea, casting you in darkness as it sails overhead. Faceless, the forward end of the beast pulverizes the piers & docks like matchsticks, it's body still trailing over a league back into the ocean depths.

New horror strikes, as from the bulk of it's form, pinkish crinoid tendrils, each the width of a stout oak & easily a field in length, explode from the muck shrouded depths of it's bulk, shattering buildings & dragging horses, oxen, & screaming sailors into it's interior.

Your mind reals against the terror, searching for something that could be of use against such a serpant... A ballista or trebuchet would be insignificant to it, and even cannon-fire might at best serve only as an irritation.

Suddenly, you see it's form convulse mightily, raining mud & small crustaceans upon you as it flexes it's massive bulk...

It is then that you know you are Doomed, for with a titanic effort, the beast pushes it's true form from the ocean floor, of which the monsterous serpent is but a single, segmented limb!

Lungs the size of a great castle draw breath for the first time in countless millenia, & you lose consciousness within the devastating cacophony wrought by the god's voice, roused from eons of slumber...

...

... You jerk awake sputtering and convulsing from the pool of mercury, your vision spinning wildly as you gasp and heave, your mind still reeling from the vision...

... But someone is there...

... Strong arms catch you and hold you close... And keep you safe...

...

...

... Sid.

A new Spell:

Cataclysm
When no hope remains, let the world be scoured clean by volcanic fire... All may be lost, but the foe may be prevented its victory... And from those ashes, time may begin anew...

System:

To cast this spell, you must attune yourself to every Source or Font on the continent, and conduct a greater ritual to channel and network their energies together.

The successful completion of the ritual shall cause a series of [as yet] uncertain events, resulting in the destruction of all life on the continent... Every person, tree, squirrel, mushroom, and blade of grass. Everything.

Check the OOC for further information.

LordDice

2014-04-21, 01:31 PM

Huddled in the pool of quicksilver, mind reeling from such Revelations...

Knees hurting he finally pulls himself away from the pool, having fallen there at some point. It drains off quickly back into the basin as he steps out, feeling Sid's concern for him along their now so much stronger link.

"I'll be fine...Thank the Living Earth you've returned to me, I was worried...managed to put it out of my mind for awhile. But it's not the same"

His only reply is a burst of feeling, Kinship and Belonging....

Resting on a small ornate bench, looking at the Wall of History he sits quietly, chewing on a bit of food he had saved from his stay in Deep Mote. Thinking of what can be done next...his brother is still half a continent away, doesn't sit well at all. They should be together.

The Chamber is perfectly clean, it had always been highly maintainted by his ancestors...no dust was left to lie in here and sealed such as it was nothing entered or left...But he still needed to speak with Taalkar.

A quick look towards Sid and he'd already anticipated what he needed, Reaching through the Wall of History with a mere ripple he comes back with a hunk of limestone, crushing it between his massive hands it quickly crumbles into dust and sand.

Speaking a low and gutteral word of Terran it quickly starts dancing upon the floor, the magic searching for the other half to connect to. With a Ripple it finishes, dust dancing in the light of the Glowmoss.

"Brother, Brother are you there ?

Barthac

2014-04-22, 09:12 AM

He had been riding hard through the night and there was one thing he was sure of, dwarves were not meant for riding horses. Rubbing his backside, he wondered how the Calvary could ever do battle from the back of a beast.

He had just crested the rise of a hill and sat atop the horse, considering the valley below him and how to cross the sparkling line of a river in the distance. Suddenly, something happened. He wasn't sure what it was but it washed over him in a wave. He felt a weirdness invade him. It was difficult to describe but he had an urge to dismount. He climbed down from the beast and lay on the ground. The horse glanced at him, perhaps wondering about this strange behavior.

Taalkar lay on the ground for awhile. There was a certain rightness about laying on the earth. He had a strong urge to return to mining, something he had not done since he was a child. He focused on the feeling and felt some sort of strength emitting from the ground itself. It was something he hadn't felt or imagined before. It washed out of the ground in cool waves that tempered the heat of the sun that shone on him like waves cooling the sands of a beach.

He had no idea how long he lay, enjoying this new feeling. A faint voice called to him through his revery, Brother, Brother are you there ?

It was Karazi, thank Moradin. He hadn't heard from him since he left camp and began his new life as a horse thief. Reaching into a pocket he pulled out the bundle of sand and ash. Oy, What have you gone and done now?

LordDice

2014-04-22, 09:43 AM

"I've made it home, well part of home anyhow. I was doing the ceremonial Earth Bonding to retrieve Sid and something happened, so much more.

"Visions of a nightmare rising from the sea and the means to stop such a thing if it should happen. The bond between Myself and Sid is stronger than ever, I feel great."

"Did you get the sanctuary you saught with Star Spire brother ? are you well ?"

Barthac

2014-04-22, 09:48 AM

The wee king was unwilling to directly aid what is most likely an outlaw of Deep Mote. He did let me take a horse and send me to search out the elves of Loc'nethal.

Brother, was yer bonding thing about an hour ago?

LordDice

2014-04-22, 09:58 AM

"Aye it was....how do you know that though ? did something happen ?!"

Barthac

2014-04-22, 10:01 AM

Something is exactly what I would call it.

What about this 'nightmare from he sea'? Are ya sure it wasn't some bad mutton? I remember ya thinking you was being chased by badgers one night after a taste of old lamb.

LordDice

2014-04-22, 11:22 AM

"No, this weren't no bad mutton ya lumphead, twas a message from the Living Earth...a warning of the dangers to come."

"The Blighted are by no means done, more Danger comes. The Earth guides though, it told of other Fonts to visit and a spell of great desperation, for when all is already lost. Stone will always endure after all Brother, This time it wants a hand I think."

Barthac

2014-04-22, 11:45 PM

More fonts? Like the one at the Keep? And something bigger from the blight? What do we do now brother?

LordDice

2014-04-22, 11:51 PM

"Aye more Fonts and yes a great Blighted beast from the sea, in the vision I was shown even even the cannons couldn't touch it hardly. It seems a mite more important than some Human King wanting you to go poke around looking for vanished Elves"

Barthac

2014-04-22, 11:55 PM

So, ya usin that bracelet from Malthos. Taalkar feels the urge to spit for some reason. You're sure it does what you think it does?

LordDice

2014-04-23, 12:27 AM

"Aye, I think it's best and since "something" happened to you when I finished the ritual...I think you need to do it as well, any boon from the Earth must be given the proper respect after all.

And if it don't work then Sid and I are in for a hell of a walk aren't we...here goes nothing"

Reaching onto the bracelet he pulls off the tiny Taalkar dangling off it.

Barthac

2014-04-23, 08:57 AM

Taalkar quickly stands and grabs his pack and his axe from the horse. He gulps deeply and waits.

Mr. X

2014-04-23, 03:36 PM

Taalkar

The wait is ended abruptly by a sharp tug behind your navel, and the sickening sensation of being turned inside out...

... You come too laying in the sanctum of the Source. Home again, for the first time it what seems a lifetime.

Barthac

2014-04-23, 03:44 PM

Taalkar let's go of the breath, now a long way from he breathed it in. He reaches down and makes sure his belly button is on the outside. Feeling everything in order he takes in his surroundings. He had only been here once before, but he recognized the room quick enough. A sudden surge of nostalgia threatens to overtake him as he admires the dwarven workmanship of the walls and their carvings. Walking around the room he's struck by a sudden thought.

Ya lame-brained, half-witted, worm-eating, lummox! He points at the blocked doorway Ya summoned me into a TOMB! Are you trying to kill me, now?

LordDice

2014-04-23, 03:53 PM

"It's not a TOMB you disrespectful ass, this is the source of our Stoneshapers for over a thousand years !
Gesturing around wildly in rebuttal.

"Besides, you just open that wall there and the passage back to o..ur...Oh ****. Our Caves are collapsed arn't they."

Barthac

2014-04-23, 03:58 PM

Wool-headed, knob-brain!

Taalkar paces a bit. Finally he plops down and pulls an apple from his pack. Taking a crunchy bite, So what's yer brilliant plan for geting us out? He glares at his brother Cause I know ya got one, right.

LordDice

2014-04-23, 04:03 PM

We'll worry about getting out later. I can feel the Earthen energy pulsing into you via our connection, you need to be attuned. I've no idea what that kind of raw magic will do to you without the proper Ritual binding it to your flesh !

Mumbling afterwards "...And maybe during the Ritual I can come up with a way to leave that doesn't involve turning you into a cat"

Barthac

2014-04-23, 04:04 PM

Taalkar nods and takes another bite, Wait, did you say cat?

LordDice

2014-04-23, 04:05 PM

"Hmm, no it was nothing."

"You got another apple ? I've only had stale food I borrowed from my enchanting accomodations at the Capital"

Barthac

2014-04-23, 04:07 PM

He reaches in his pack and pulls out a pear instead of an apple. Tossing it to his brother.

So whats this ceremony. He leans over and looks in the silvery pool I don't have to take a bath, do I?

LordDice

2014-04-23, 04:19 PM

Munching on the apple a little before commenting "Could you be a LITTLE respectful of our customs Brother ?....Yes you'll need to bathe in the Quicksilver in a manner of speaking"

Seeing his brother start to disrobe he quickly stops him

"BAH, it's not a normal bath you elf-brained dunderhead ! Just get in the blasted pool...it's not gonna hurt your precious axe."
Now over the course of the next 15 hours you will wash away your stray thoughts, while the Quicksilver washes away the impurities from the Stone of your Soul"

"Now I'm oversimplfying this so even you can understand, you MUST do this. By the end of the Washing you'll be moving -incredibly- slowly...Do not get impatient and try to hurry things up, go look at the Wall of Ancestors for Dralith the Hasty, he was the last to try and hurry up this process."

"After you've Washed properly you will very carefully and slowly move to the center of the chamber, letting the energies washing over and through you. I cannot help you if something goes wrong brother. But you've Stoneshaper blood in your veins and the Living Earth is unlikely to harm you"

"Then it's just a matter of a few hours of Meditation in the center of the Font to finish"

Mr. X

2014-04-23, 08:07 PM

For Taalkar:

When you begin the process, will you please give me a Will Save, and a Fortitude Save.

Barthac

2014-04-23, 09:03 PM

Slow? Careful? Eighteen HOURS! Brother, Ye got the wrong dwarf! What in the hells do you mean "wash away" thoughts. That don't make no sense.

LordDice

2014-04-23, 09:48 PM

"It's meditation you fool, you've got to be clear of mind or the Living Earth will overwhelm your puny mortal mind"

Barthac

2014-04-23, 10:27 PM

Clear mind, eh. He scratches his head. I don't know about making it empty, but I do know how to focus it and block everything else. I'll show ya.

He carefully removes his worn gear and his freshly tattered armor placing them gently besides him. He removes his eye patch and rubs his tired socket, still pink and raw from healing over. His bare chest is covered in scars that cut jagged patches of bare skin across his hairy chest. Some of them old, some of them distinctly pink and new. Wearing only a pair of rough linen pants he picks up his axe. A now familiar spark of electricity dances across its surface, lighting the intricate etchings, as if in anticipation. A good weapon rejoices at being wielded well.

He sets his bare feet solid on the stone floor, his axe held loosely in front of him. He closes his eye and takes a deep breath. He imagines a roaring fire catching on fresh wood and burning fast and hot. He forces the fire down into white hot coals, feeding it the entire time. It is now the burning embers of a forge hot enough to melt steel. He focuses on a single coal, gleaming and pulsating with dancing heat.

Not enough.

He waits and waits. A single red mote drifts from the surface of the white coal and dances in the air. This is what he waited for. That red mote. On this single speck of heat he focuses and holds it firmly in his vision. The single point of light and warmth is all that exists for him. He grabs onto the mote and begins to dance with it.

To Karazi, this lasts almost an hour. He must be thinking that his brother fell asleep, standing like a stone for so long, barely breathing. Finally, his fingers tighten their grip the axe and he moves.

Sweeping axe strikes, pokes and chops behead shadows, as rolling, twisting, and jumping avoids countless motes of dust. His veins coarse with heat and life. His heart pumps liquid iron through his veins. His skin is covered in a sheen of sweat as his muscles work and strain. Taalkar doesn't notice any of this. He is the ember. He is the dance.

Mr. X

2014-04-23, 11:44 PM

Taalkar's sinuous movements carry him lithely around the chamber in twisting concentric circles that loop and twist back on themselves as smoothly as the swirling mercury at the chambers heart.

To his twin the disconnect between their two approaches to life, the hot and cold stones, is suddenly bridged...

Though he has seen his brother's feats upon the battlefield countless times, Karazi abruptly realizes that, like his own, his brother's training was more than a glorified boot camp... So much more...

... The Warblade's dance flows through a deadly ring of swirling steel so far beyond the means of any mere soldier, that the marriage of movement and purpose borders on the sublime... The heart of the raging fire as focused and serene as the undisturbed pond...

... As the circle draws tighter, you are both poignantly aware of all those that have come before you, who crafted and defined the arts which you practice and employ... And with sudden, awe filled humility, you are aware that you have surpassed them all.

With this joining, you step beyond the the lands charted by the masters, and the burden of exploration and definition falls to you.

Mr. X

2014-04-29, 03:58 AM

At length Taalkar's dance slows, and comes to a halt before the silvery pool... The raging flames burned away, leaving only the focused heat of glowing embers and smoldering coals, he lays down his axe, and slips onto the surface of the font.

Elemental mercury is a very curious substance. As you enter the pool, you discover quickly that you cannot wade into it as you a pool of water... Rather, you find yourself skimming like an insect across the surface, unable to break the surface tension without concentrated effort, and even then, you are far to buoyant to measurably sink.

Scooping some into your palm you find it heavy, like lead or gold, but so completely frictionless that, beyond the sense of weight, it is difficult to feel that you are holding anything at all...

... Indeed, so fascinating is the experience, that you loose yourself in toying exploration of the substance for quite some time... The surface of the pool is completely frictionless, and all but impervious to your efforts to paddle through it, and so you find yourself gliding from one edge of the pool to the other, and back again, for it is nearly impossible to stop your momentum once...

... It is giddyingly pleasurable, and for a time, you feel a child once more, playing in your bath, as you massage the metal into the skin of your arms, legs, chest, back, face, and scalp...

For Taalkar:

Please give me a Fortitude Save. Your +2 racial bonus vs. Poisons shall apply.

Also give me a Will Save.

Barthac

2014-04-29, 09:30 PM

Life has taught me that rarely do good things happen after a DM says, make a roll:
Fort:[roll0]
Will:[roll1]

Mr. X

2014-04-30, 03:11 AM

At length, you float to the edge, and extricate yourself from the pool.

The cleansing was less fraught with overbearing importance, than your brother had implied... Rather, you emerge almost giddy with excitement. Your mind and your whole body abuzz as they might be after having consumed exactly the right amount of ale.

But you can feel that same buzz resonating through the whole of the earth around you, and are struck by a sudden urge to hug the walls and the floor...

... You feel absolutely wonderful...

...

... If previous experiences are any indication, you expect to be badly hung over in the morning.

Taalkar, take [roll0] wisdom damage from the mercurial infusions in your body. At this point, you may freely enter into the Deepstone Sentinal PrC.

Both please gain 2000exp.

LordDice

2014-04-30, 11:37 PM

"Well that was...precisely NOT how it's supposed to go. But hey, you're still alive so it must have worked !"

Muttering to himself a bit afterwards "I wonder if I should have mentioned just how many Stoneshapers have died trying to do that..."

"Truely a wonderous experience though isn't it Brother ? looking forward to finding the next Font I bet. We've gotta figure a way out of here and up to the surface for ya though...I really didn't think that through bringing you in here"

"I'm going to scout the nearby collapsed areas of our old home a bit, see if there are any livable pockets we could reach and maybe grab some supplies... I'll be back in a bit, you should rest after such an ordeal"

Scouting nearby areas, any pockets of the old home that havn't been destroyed. Any supplies (even those in the main city, non-collapsed. Steal a pack of rations and the lick, food etc) Looking for any pools of water either, found a druid spell to basicly "puddle walk", step in one, step out another. 500ft max range.

Mr. X

2014-05-03, 03:37 AM

Leaving your befuddled brother behind, you slip through the living earth, and explore the remains of your shattered home...

... And indeed, there are air pockets to be found. So masterful was the Falgen stonework, that even the removal of the bloodline that held the magic supporting it was insufficient to wholly destroy the honeycomb of tunnels...

... Though, to claim that they are not wholly destroyed, still leaves room to recognize the fact that they are mostly destroyed.

... In order to get Taalkar to a working tunnel system, you don't think you'll need to tunnel through much more than thirty feet of solid stone... At any one time... Though you shall require six or seven such tunnels to be able to leap frog from pocket to pocket to an exit point...

... With a full digging crew and a supply of blasting caps, you could probably form an adequate passage in only a day or two.

LordDice

2014-05-09, 03:42 PM

Stepping back into room, slipping silently out of the smooth wall his boots start tapping on the stone as he comes completely into the room. Seeing Taalkar waiting on him, probably bored out of his mind he reports on what he saw.

"Well, the Tunnels are well collapsed. Good news is none of those traitors dug into our families tunnels to expand...bad news they're quite well destroyed."

"We've got a handful of pockets with some decent stretches of stone between them just to get out. I might could get us out of here come morning. But there's still the business of exactly where we are...and the bastards out there that don't like us one lick."

Barthac

2014-05-09, 04:03 PM

Where's the nearest pocket?

He follows his brothers outstretched finger and stands staring at the wall, his nose mere inches from the very spot his brother pointed. This wasn't just a wall anymore. Something was different. It seemed to move and breath now. Taalkar stared at it. He imagined a tunnel in the wall leading towards the pocket of non-collapsed tunnel his brother found. The stone of the wall seemed to waver in response. The walls of his imaginary tunnel was less of a mental image now as the stone seemed ready to respond to his will. He reaches out and places a palm firmly on the wall in front of him.

Then it happened. The tunnel that was just a thought before was suddenly a reality. The stone had simply listened.

Taalkar glances back at his brother, throwing his thumb over his shoulder, Will something like that work?

LordDice

2014-05-09, 04:48 PM

Clasping his brother on the shoulder he works up an overly wistful expression "I'm gonna make a Stoneshaper out of you yet Axe-boy"

Barthac

2014-05-09, 04:53 PM

Taalkar rolls his eyes.

We better get moving. I don't think it's gonna last forever.

I have 11 more uses of Passwall, each makes a 15 foot tunnel. Should be enough to get us out, I think.

LordDice

2014-05-09, 04:59 PM

"Leaving's good and all...but how do you propose we get out of Mithril Keep alive, you remember being exiled, that little tidbit that was the end of our Clan practically ?"

Barthac

2014-05-09, 05:34 PM

Unless you have a better plan right now, we'll just figure it out as we go.

Mr. X

2014-05-09, 10:13 PM

With Karazi and Sid providing direction, Taalkar is easily able to warp the earth to allow his passage from point to point.

Some of the holes and pockets you pass through are merely non-descript piles of rubble, while others bring on heavy pangs of nostalgia... A remaining corner of the mess hall where, as children, you spent countless hours scurrying about the table legs, chasing one another, or trying to 'accidentally' upset your father's and uncle's flagons... Where, in later years, it became the place of respite, after a long day of combat training, or endless hours of your tedious book education (You were the heirs, and you were obligated to learn the borish lessons of maintaining the family business, despite your obvious greater talents)... Your father's office, barely a crack to squeeze through now, but the cracked corner of his polished granite desk that protrudes from the rubble is unmistakeable... How many times did he sit you both upon it to play... As you grew, how many times did you face him across it, to be chastised for some foolishness (to which you were frequently prone, 'always' at Taalkar's instigation)... He used to keep a hawk caged in here... He always liked hawking... Not a Stoneshaper himself, he was not uncomfortable beneath the earth, but to see him on the surface, perched on a high crag, watching his falcon soar and hunt... Was to see him happy...

... But the cage is not to be found... The bird must have been killed in the collapse, as your father was killed in the Whurgrim assault...

... It's all gone...

... Everything that was...

... Everything that might have been...

...

...

... At length, you break through into still functioning tunnels of Mythril Keep.

The area is in a less used district (since there is no longer a family to operate with here), and you are able to get your bearings, and travel a ways undisturbed.

Coming upon a junction, you find a notice plastered upon the wall:

WANTED

Dead or Alive,

Taalkar and Karazi Falgen

For crimes against the Garrison, and suspected Treason against the Throne.

Reward upon apprehension: 8,000 gold pieces Alive. 5,000 gold pieces Dead.

LordDice

2014-05-11, 10:29 PM

Walking over to the notice he tears it off the wall, looking at the info a bit before finally pocketing the page. "Well, I guess that answers that. Not good at all"

Turning to Taalkar he comments "Think you can sneak you way out of here without making the entirety of Mithril keep come down on you ? I'll follow right under ya with Sid...just one person trying to walk out ought to be less suspicious"

LordDice

2014-05-17, 03:44 PM

Reaching over he grabs his brother rather large sparking axe, while shucking his Haversack off his shoulder. "Here, store your armor for awhile, I'll carry this gigantic freakin axe for ya."

"Sid and I will scout ahead of you a bit as we go, if we see anything suspicious or an overly wary guard we'll just find a route around him"

"Now lets get going, we can't be standing here in this hallway forever..Got things to do !"

Mr. X

2014-05-20, 02:35 AM

Keeping your heads low, it is with little difficulty that you leave behind the familiar tunnels of Mythril Keep, and face the meandering tunnels that connect the Keep to the port town of Short Reach.

Wishing to stay beneath notice, you travel the whole distance on foot, and employ your 'unique methods' to enter the town...

... Short Reach is a small town, even by Dwarven standards, home to less than two thousand souls... Though it sees its fair share of traffic none the less.

Here you are in the depths of the mountain... Short Reach consists primarily of a great cavern carved from the base of the Narrows' cliff, forming the sheltered harbor from which the trade ships of the Dwarven Nation embark, surrounded by a honeycomb of tunnels and chambers that serve to house the local people and businesses that live there.

While Deep Mote certainly has no love for the barbarians of the Northern Reaches, the furs, meats, and magics that can be acquired there are highly sought after. Fortunes have been made by those simply courageous (or foolish) enough to brave the treacherous waters of the Narrows.

For now, however, the port is mostly silent. All but the most desperate of captains have docked their vessels for the winter, while their crews while away the winter months drinking away their shares, and getting into fights for being land-sick.

There are a fair number of shops to be found here. Food and sundries are easily come across, as are basic weapons and Armors.

Magics may be found at cost, though nothing requiring more than a CL 3 is available.

Exotic magics and equipment from the North are also available, if you are interested.

There are no ships that are actively available for charter.

LordDice

2014-05-21, 10:50 PM

Flowing just a bit out of the ground he makes sure the coast is clear before speaking with Taalkar in hushed tones.

"Let's get out of town just a bit brother, a few hours hike aboveground and we'll find a decent camp for the night...I've an idea to get us across the Narrows tomorrow. I don't think we should rest near so many dwarven eyes though brother"

LordDice

2014-05-22, 01:13 AM

"Actually...we need some supplies before we leave. Almost forgot we're gonna need some rations to last us awhile"

Tossing his brother his haversack and a chunk of his coinpurse's contents "Pick up what we need before we head out, might be some time before we're drinking Dwarven Ale again after all"

"Hell you might as well just get a room, I'll sleep on the floor...and don't let on you're not alone. They're looking for a pair of us after all, we can find a spot in the morning to try out my idea"

Come the morning he meditates upon his link with Sid, getting a better feeling for this new application of magic to try, still slightly beyond his reach...but with some adjustments and quite a bit of extra work he should be able to pull it off.

Leaving his brother for a few minutes he finds an abandoned tunnel, faced with a wall of rather pure gypsum he decides to go with it as the ritual site. Sending Sid off for a few minutes to bring Taalkar he start prepping for the upcoming Ritual.

Pulling out a small chisel he starts assisting the spell by slowly cutting a elaborate faux-doorway into the wall, very slowly channeling power into it charging the very stone itself...the Earth starts to try to match the energies he's putting into the spell by doing it in this manner, aiding him.

As his Brother and Sid arrive he's deep in the spellwork, without even a thought Sid joins him, a mirror of exactly what he's doing as he carves oh so slowly. Off to the side he hears Taalkar yawning...with the occasional grumble and the amount of time he seems to think they're wasting.

At last with a sharp -SNAP- the doorway of stone ripples slightly, like a puddle of liquid stone. Reaching over to Taalkar and Sid he grabs both of them and hurries them all through the doorway before the spell collapses.

Mr. X

2014-05-22, 02:32 AM

Stepping through the doorway, there is a sudden and intense pressure upon you, as though the weight of the mountain sat upon you, before the gravel breaks around you, and you find yourself tumbling down a hillside...

Glancing about, you find yourself in a shallow valley, ringed in layered veins of alabaster gypsum, and flanked on three sides by great rocky hills.

In the pit of the basin, a great mass of crystalline gypsum shards protrude forest-like from the earth... The ambient power flowing off of them is so great it makes your skin crawl...

... The Source...

Carefully you pick your way through the broken rubble and drifting snow towards the mass of crystals, when a deep shudder runs through the earth... And the nearest rocky hill... Stands up?

... Breaking away from ages of accumulated stone and frozen moss, the creature is as much of the earth as it is of flesh... A hunched man, his skin studded with boulders and overgrown with grass and moss, with one great arm seemingly wrought wholly of living stone, it's face squashed and wrinkled, with dim, watery eyes peering out...

... But it is just so... BIG...

... The giant you fought beneath the walls of Citadel might at best have reached this creature's knee...

... As you gawk, the creature's dim gaze finds you, and it smiles dumbly... Like a child finding a kitten or a piece of candy...

And with a great lurch, it takes two lumbering steps... And covers over half the distance to you...

Please roll Initiative.

Barthac

2014-05-22, 09:13 AM

[roll0]

I wish we had someone who could speak Terran.

Mr. X

2014-05-22, 10:16 AM

Giant's Initiative:
[roll0]

LordDice

2014-05-22, 11:32 AM

Eyes widening a bit at the sheer size of this giant of sorts, he calls out to it in Terran "Easy now Friend, we mean no harm to you and yours. We are on a Pilgrimage to places such as this. Do you have a name friend ? I am Karazi of the Falgen, this is my Brother Taalkar and my bonded companion Sid"

Gesturing to each of them in turn as he hopes to get through to it before being shattered like an onyx sculpture in the hands of a toddler.

Mr. X

2014-05-22, 01:31 PM

If the giant hears Karazi's steady voice, it makes no indication, as another loping step brings it looming over you, and it's hands, each as big as a horse, swoop down towards you...

Giant's Grapple attack vs. Karazi (Melee Touch Attack):
[roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

If hit, resist Grapple, DC above attack roll +24.

Giant's Grapple attack vs. Taalkar (Melee Touch attack):
[roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

If hit, resist Grapple, DC above attack roll +24.

With ease, the giant scoops you both up, and in its crushing grasp, your Armors creak and warp, and you feel several of your ribs crack...

... It is with horrible certainty that you realize that the thing isn't even trying to hurt you...

Bringing you soaring up to its eye level, it chortles happily, before tipping its head back and lifting Karazi high over its yawning maw...

Taalkar, it's your move.

Next round Karazi is going to get eaten.

LordDice

2014-05-22, 05:29 PM

Gasping for breath as he's squeezed so hard his ribs start cracking one by one...he pleads in common hoping to get through to it.

"Stop, we're not food you lumbering oaf ! I swear I'm gonna taste horrible, likely crack your tooth on me you would !"

Mr. X

2014-05-22, 08:08 PM

Karazi's pleadings fall on deaf ears... If anything, the giant's happy grin only seems to widen further at the sound of his whimpering.

For Both:

The Brothers Strongstone

Stage 2: Desperate Strength

When facing certain death, your linked fates surge with power to protect one another.

System:
When one or the other of you is facing certain death, you may expend a Full-Round action to shout your brother's name, or the word 'No', and make a Will Save.

Doing so grants your brother an immediate Turn (in addition to his own turn that round), and he may add the result of your Will Save to any one roll he makes in that turn.

This power may be used only once per scene.

Barthac

2014-05-23, 11:07 AM

Taalkar struggles to move the massive thumb pinning him down. Le'go of me, ya great overgrown gnome.

Glancing over, he finally notices his brother predicament.

KARAZI, NOOOOOOO!!!!! He screams, the bellowing roar of utter panic washes through the valley and echos off the crumbling cliffs.

Using the Strongstone Brothers Part 2 to give my turn to Karazi

LordDice

2014-05-23, 11:42 AM

Hearing his brother shouting, as yet another section of his stone plate cracks in the grasp of this titanic being he continues to struggle. A fraction of a second later as he looks into the gaping maw time starts to slow down a bit to him.

Is this what dying is like...kinda peaceful

Energy surges into him and it almost feels like time itself has stopped, his brother frozen in a moment screaming out his name. The pain is lessened now, the crushing pressure somehow shunted off to the side of his mind.

It can't end this way.

Struggling mightily he frees up his left arm too, as both his hands come free he casts the first thing to come to mind.....he needs to be ALOT less appetizing.

The magics take hold and a red ooze starts bubbling out of his rocky hide, coating him quite quickly...he can hear it start to sizzle as it eats into the flesh of the overgrown giant's hand.

A little hope takes hold in his heart, as he sees his brother also covered in the red sizzling ooze.

Then the magic of the moment fades and the pain is back twofold....

He braces himself, enduring the pain and waiting for a moment to slip from his grasp.

Mechanical speaking, Using this extra turn provided to cast Babau Slime, 22 MiC (Been on my sheet FOREVER and never used it)

Then I'll be holding my action for a bit, until he drops me or he tries to force me into his mouth on his turn.

LordDice

2014-05-23, 01:29 PM

Seeing the brothers struggling mightly in the grasp of the Titan, Sid, now covered in a red slime charges at the beasts ankle trying to distract it.

Rolling those 2 bonus HD Sid got now also [roll0]
Attack, Charge. [roll1] (Base Atk 9, +1 Earth Mastery, +2 Charging)
Damage [roll2] (+1 damage from Earth Mastery)

Mr. X

2014-05-23, 02:57 PM

Sid's railings against the giant's ankles fails to grasp the creatures attention...

The caustic, sizzling jelly, however, does...

The giant howls. As much in surprise as in pain, it's cacophonous voice resounding off the mountainsides, causing avalanches and rockslides to tumble down the steeper slopes, and it's hands twitch open, dropping the brothers to earth.

Rivers of tears stream down its face as it shrieks, and absently turns around itself... The earth trembling beneath its footfalls...

All please make a Reflex Save, DC 20, or take [roll0] Damage, as you are trampled by the giant.

If you have a turn ready, you may expend a Full Round Action to avoid the Giant's chaotic footfalls.

In the grip of its tantrum, the Giant appears to have forgotten you for the moment... When the earth quakes mightily, and the other two hills stand up... And more great faces appear, peering over the mountain crests...

For Karazi:
You may re-roll one of Sid's Hit Dice, as one of them was clearly a 1. You're stuck with the 2, however.

Karazi, if you would like to spend your turn doing something other than avoiding being stepped upon, you may act at this juncture.

Taalkar, providing you are still alive, it is your turn.

LordDice

2014-05-23, 06:20 PM

Scrambling wildly after falling badly on his right knee, he scrambles to avoid the giant's foot nearly crushing his head. After a few moments of paniced scrambling he manages to avoid most of the flailing.

Barthac

2014-05-23, 06:25 PM

Tumble:[roll0]
Reflex save:[roll1]

Barthac

2014-05-23, 06:28 PM

Level 11 HD:

So 82 HP -
28 Crushing
10 Falling
33 Stomping
Leaves me at 11 Hit points with 5 subdual damage.

Taalkar hits the ground in a neat tumble but is quickly met with the sole of a giant foot. Staggering around he finally sets his feet firm on the ground in his long practiced stance. Something is different this time, a strange feeling travels out from his feet and connects with the surrounding earth. Almost like that time in the fount, the stones waiting to listen to his command. Seeing his brother flopping on the ground, he turns and looks up at the giant, suddenly not caring about the stamping feet.

I said, NO!, he yells, raising his axe to strike. Suddenly the stones listen, and Taalkar is lifted up to giants eye level on a great column of stone that grows out of the ground. Not yet fully comprehending the full implications of this sudden turn, Taalkar cleaves his sparking axe at the giant's eye shouting, Moradin says listen to Sparky and leave us alone!.

Not sure what is going to happen. But I will use my new Mountain Fortress Stance (before I die). I think I could be directly under the giant, which might cause problems (I didn't ask to be an anal probe). However, I want to hit this guy.

Attack 1 (PA:10)
Tohit:[roll]1d20+16
Damage:1d20+22 + 1d6

Attack 2
Tohit:1d20+11
Damage:1d20+22 + 1d6

That makes may AC a pitiful 25.

Barthac

2014-05-23, 06:48 PM

Try deux

Attack 1 (PA:10)
Tohit:[roll0]
Damage:[roll1] + [roll2]

Attack 2
Tohit:[roll3]
Damage:[roll4] + [roll5]

That makes may AC a pitiful 25.

Mr. X

2014-05-23, 09:05 PM

The earthen powers swirl about you, lifting you on a jutting pillar into the air...

... But before you can finish your stout declaration, even before you can reach past so much as the Giant's thigh, it's foot sweeps past your column, shattering base of the stone pillar, and sending you tumbling back to earth.

Taalkar take [roll0] falling damage, Tumble DC 15 to Negate.

Karazi, it is your turn.

LordDice

2014-05-23, 10:38 PM

Still moaning on the ground and heavily wounded he sees Taalkar fall yet again...not looking good.

Focusing for a moment he painfully finishes the gestures to cast an old favorite. As he and his brother slip into the earth, hopefully buying some time for these giants to calm down.

Sid merely slips into the earth with his own Glide, resurfacing after a few moments only slightly...to keep tabs on the giants while trying to stay unnoticed.

Barthac

2014-05-23, 10:40 PM

Tumble:[roll0]

Mr. X

2014-05-24, 12:09 AM

Sinking beneath the earth, you can hear, and feel, the Giant walking off in the direction of the Source...

But the rumbling of the earth only grows more powerful, and through Sid's tremor sense, you are aware of more such immense creatures approaching...

... Many more.

... Karazi takes a risk, and peeks over the surface...

... Four Giants gather around the first, embracing him, petting his hair, and murmuring in low, comforting tones, while many more approach from all directions...

... They don't walk with any particular purpose, and are as likely to stop and play with a rock, as they are to join in the larger gathering that is happening a short distance from the Source... They don't make any apparent gesture to indicate they understand what the Source is, or even that they care, but rather gather near it as one might a fire, to bask in the warmth of its power...

... It is not long before the ails of the first giant are forgotten, and the gathering breaks apart into casual groups. Jokes are told, and thunderous guffaws resound through the mountains of the area...

... One of them snatches up a boulder as big as a carraige, and hurls it across the valley with a shout. Another snatches it out of the air, bellowing with laughter, and hurls it across the way at a third... This one, not paying attention, is caught upside the head, and is struck so hard the the stone is pulverized to gravel by the impact...

... The giant is barely rocked by the blow, but looks up, taking up another great stone, and hurls it back...

The ground quakes violently as many all around run to join in the game...

... It is not going to be safe to remain here much longer.

LordDice

2014-05-24, 09:08 AM

Slipping from the earth, he moves to where his brother is melded with the stone, pulling the last bit of energies out of the spell his brother swiftly reemerges, seeing him okay and feeling Sid nearby ready to follow he quickly moves the heck back out of the bowl.

At the same time looking for a small gully or crevasse to stoneshape a little hideaway in once away.

Mr. X

2014-05-24, 02:55 PM

Struggling away from the frolicking giants, it is all you can do to keep your feet over the violently quaking ground...

... Eventually escaping the small valley between the hills, you find yourself in a much larger one, surrounded on all sides by much greater ranges of mountains...

... It takes some two hours for you to distance yourselves sufficiently from the Source such that the Giants' footfalls no longer present a serious obstacle, and you are able to find a sheltered crack between the rocks...

Sitting down, Taalkar winces, and suddenly realizes that his left arm is bent back at a sickening angle... Must have broken it when the Giant stepped on you, and only now have things cooled down enough that you actually notice...

Karazi's magic's healed the torn flesh, and likely saved your life, but without having set the bone properly, your left arm is left warped and useless.

LordDice

2014-05-25, 03:39 PM

Shuffling over to his brother, he digs around his pack for a moment coming up with a bottle of Sweetpod Rum. Popping the cork out he hands it to his brother. "You might wanna get some of this in ya first brother.. I don't know nuthin bout healin...but that ain't right. The magics done their job while yer arm was crooked, we gotta straighten it out and you're not gonna want to be so sober for that"

Waiting for a few for it to start taking effect he sends a quick thought to Sid, who rises out of the ground almost instantly behind Taalkar and wraps him up. In nearly the same motion Karazi grabs at the arm and tries to pull it as straight as he can.

With a muffled crack the bone shifts and both of them let go of Taalkar. Sid sinks back into the stone and Karazi casts a couple spells to attempt to heal the pain quickly.

Absolutely no training in Heal, and I think it shows. Heal Check [roll0] Casting a Lesser Restoration on him afterwards in addition to a couple charges of the vigor wand, 22hp.

No idea how much damage re-breaking an arm is.

Mr. X

2014-05-25, 03:53 PM

For Karazi:

Heal DC to straighten the arm is going to be 12, so you'll need to try again.

Correctly positioned, 12 damage should be enough to break the bone... You may take a Coup de Gras against it, which deals an automatically confirmed critical hit at max damage.

Each unsuccessful attempt shall progressively make the task easier, and provide a -2 modifier to the Heal DC... Though healing him in between attempts shall negate this bonus.

We probably want Taalkar to post before you try again. ;-)

For Taalkar,

Take 24 damage from your brother snapping your arm... Again.

(2d6 Slam, x2 Crit, maxed by coup de gras)

LordDice

2014-05-29, 12:25 AM

Seeing his brother writhe in agony...he begins to suspect that might not be quite how it's supposed to be.

Maybe shouldn't have healed it over again. Tilting the bottle already in his brothers hand he forces a few more big gulps to distract him.

"Okay, that didn't quite work...and I probably should have waiting on those heal spells. Oh hell you're so out of it you can barely tell up from down....Don't worry, I think I've got this figure'd out.

As Sid gets another grip on him he proceeds to try and wrench his brother's arm in another direction....maybe the right one !

Okay, so I'm not a healing druid...no big

I did say I'd healed him after the first hit, 2 uses of the wand healing 22hp. so that'll reset the DC. not healing him after this one, just gonna wiggle that arm around till it feels like it's straight >_< rofl.

Heal [roll0]

Mr. X

2014-05-29, 01:16 AM

There is something truly unpleasant about the feeling of broken shards of bone scraping over each other... Even when they aren't your bones...

... You cannot even guess at the degree of agony that Taalkar is suffering...

... None the less, with a sharp crack, you wrench his arm straight, and your magics make whole the shattered bones.

Taalkar, take another 24 damage, and (presumably) heal 22 from the next round of healing.

This should leave you at a net total of 4 damage over the two attempts.

Your arm is fixed.

If you feel the need to now beat your brother senseless with it, no doubt he won't hold it against you. ;-)

LordDice

2014-05-31, 04:06 PM

Spending a bit of time whilst his brother sleeps off the injury...and the Rum, He works on shaping their little hole in the ground into something a little nicer.

Forming a small bed under his brother and a chair for himself with a small table jutting out of the wall. A few minutes later the cracked rock that formed the opening to this small hole melts into a smooth doorway, with a small well shaped door now formed into the entryway...complete with a stout bar across it.

Wouldn't hold a giant he supposed, but it'd stop plenty of things long enough to give them warning.

A small nudge on their link and Sid flows nearby to keep watch on the comings and goings of nearby things of interest.

Those things taken care of Karazi sits back in the chair and finally relaxes, finishing the last of the bottle of Rum his brother nearly finished off and eating a ration before drifting off in his chair.

Barthac

2014-05-31, 05:44 PM

Taalkar snorts in his sleep as a bed forms underneath him. Between the pain and the booze he is now safely passed out, oddly enough he is dreaming about breaking bones and kicking his brother.

Mr. X

2014-06-01, 01:34 AM

It was only late afternoon when you found this crack, and the sun is just dipping behind the western mountains as you sit down with the bottle of sweet rum.

By the time you finish, light can no longer be seen through the cracks around the door, and putting the bottle down, you drift off in to a somewhat uneasy sleep.

You are woken suddenly a few times, as the earth rumbles with the footfalls of a passing giant, but otherwise, the night passes uneventfully.

It is late morning, when Taalkar finally comes hazily to, and the new day can begin.

LordDice

2014-06-03, 06:43 PM

Coming too Karazi rolls his neck a bit before looking over at his brother "Gonna sleep all day ? I know I made ya a bed, it's not to lie about in !"

"Lets see if we can find some locals, at the very least maybe we can get a better idea of how large an area these guys are occupying...we could be days deep in their territory here and not even know it.

We'll keep an eye out for those freakin giants, but maybe if we don't stumble around too badly they wont notice us. I can camoflauge us a bit to the surroundings, maybe be a bit less noticeable"

Mr. X

2014-06-04, 03:52 AM

With the aid of your magics, you have little trouble evading the roaming giants.

Your dangers come more from traversing the difficult terrain...

... It is curious... It seems that the further you get from the source, the smaller the giants you encounter are... And the colder it gets...

After a day, you stop encountering giants entirely, and are faced with the bitter cold and blistering winds of the glacier strewn peaks...

... You are perhaps six days from North Shore and the Ancient's Way, when you see a thin stream of smoke pealing over the next ridge...

... A barbarian village?

Mr. X

2014-06-06, 01:23 PM

Sinking into the earth, Sid vanishes from sight, and glides toward the drifting smoke.

Through his senses, you are aware of a few dozen creatures moving around the area... The tremor's of their gentle footfalls imply that they are humans, or creatures of similar stature. Sporadic hot spots in the earth imply a number of small fires burning, while it is apparent that areas of the earth above have been turned and tilled... Probably for gardens, though they are frozen over now.

Cresting the ridge, you can see down into a forested plain. At the edge of the forest, a village of stick and mud huts huddles together within a ringwall of wooden pickets.

A platform sits atop a tall pole reaching over the wall, forming a crude watchtower overlooking the surrounding lands.

Barthac

2014-06-06, 02:22 PM

Glancing at his brother Taalkar whispers, Let me take this one.

Taalkar pulls his axe free and rests it casually on one soldier, the wide blade clearly visible. He puffs up his chest and takes wide (for a dwarf) strides. Doing his best to look intimidating he stops within earshot of the tower. Glaring up at the tower he raises his voice, Oy up ther, Who's in charge 'round here?

LordDice

2014-06-06, 09:57 PM

"Aye brother, I doubt they're very civilized in these parts...at least all respect the axe"

Mr. X

2014-06-09, 01:41 AM

You hear a muffled shout as the man in the tower shouts something to those below, and there is some shuffling activity as the 'gate' is pulled open.

Two stalking men scurry out and flank the gate as you approach, and eye you warily. Garbed in heavy furs, and armed with crude, stone tipped spears, both are grizzled and old...

... Within, the village is all but empty. Perhaps two dozen souls can be seen scattered about, or peering out from mud and thatch huts... Far fewer than the village was obviously built to hold.

... The people too, are either very young, or very old...

It is a withered old man who approaches you, his stature made greater by the layers of furs swathed about him, and his steady grip on the stout branch he wields speaks of one who knows his business in a fight.

When he speaks, it is in harsh, heavily accented Dwarven.
"... Deurgar, what yer buss-ness be?"

Barthac

2014-06-09, 08:59 AM

Taalkar stiffens. That mealy mouth troll bitten goblin-kissing barbarian has the nerve to call us... Duergar! his thoughts hiss and spit. He calms the fires in a very un-Taalkarlike fashion. This miraculous feat is partly accomplished by imagining the chieftain's head sailing away in arc, neatly hewn from his body by Sparky.

We dwarves, emphasis on the dwarves, are wondering if any you savages can speak to them overgrown halflings a few valleys back. he gestures back towards the font.

Mr. X

2014-06-09, 11:25 AM

The barbarian visibly starts at the mention of the Northern valley, and makes a sign against evil.

"... None North go and return... Send sacrifice, we do each year, and pray the gods secluded remain. "

LordDice

2014-06-12, 08:46 PM

Sensing a bit of hesitation in his brother Karazi speaks up "If you've hardly any dealings with them, have you heard of any that do ? Be they friend or enemy of them, we'd be glad to know of it"

"Hell, even if you could just point us towards someone that could speak Giant..."

Mr. X

2014-06-15, 01:48 AM

The man looks quizzically at you, before gesturing all around... Everywhere except towards the northern valley.

"Giants all over speak same as any man... Save to each other..."

He looks skittishly towards the North, and says,

"The gods don't speak to any but their own kin... Only eat the rest."

LordDice

2014-06-17, 01:02 AM

"They'll deal with their own kin though eh ? Whereabouts could we find a village of giants that deals with the Godlike ones ? Are there even any Giants that would deal with non-giant folk ?"

Mr. X

2014-06-22, 02:09 AM

The man shakes his head.

"All gone... Went south with great horde to the sacred hold..."

He heaves a sigh,

"... Spirits say only the Iron Fist may remain to return."

Barthac

2014-06-22, 02:15 AM

Iron fist?... Sacred Hold?... you think that means they all left to fight at Beluvah?

Mr. X

2014-06-22, 02:21 AM

The man nods.

"Aye. Smashed the gates of the Citadel they did... Though naught has been heard since."

LordDice

2014-06-24, 12:29 AM

Thank ye kindly for the information, we'll be on our way I suppose. " Karazi remarks as they turn back away from the village.

Turning to Taalkar as they walk away he comments "I'm not sure what we can do, I've a few ideas but we'll just have to head back up there and see...if nothing else maybe we'll just have to come back later once we know a bit more about the situation"

Mr. X

2014-06-26, 03:29 AM

OOC:

Looks like out OOC thread is being shut down. I'll open up a new one tomorrow.

In the mean time, could one of you give me a percentile roll, and call 'High' or 'Low' along with it?

LordDice

2014-06-26, 11:29 AM

Percentile high [roll0]

Mr. X

2014-06-27, 04:29 AM

The village leader bids you farewell, and you depart on even terms.

...

It is two days hiking back along the way you came, and nearly to the thinning of the mountains into the valley, when the ground suddenly shudders violently, and one of the giants rears up from a gulley a mere field's length from you...

... Caught by surprise, you dive for the cover of the surrounding broken rocks and rubble, but it is meager at best...

... Looking back, it is suddenly apparent that the giant is unaware of you... It has snatched a moose in it's colossal grasp, and tilts its head back to eat the screaming creature in two large bites...

... You are closer now than you were when you first encountered them, but you note that this time, you are down wind of the giant... Is that significant? Perhaps?

LordDice

2014-06-28, 09:48 PM

Flashing back to nearly being eaten by the Giant mere days ago, as the moose writhes in agony being pulled apart Karazi back up merely looking at his brother, a muttered whisper ""Can't, I can't do it....I thought maybe to distract them or something....but I ain't risking it, I'll end up a snack food, I know it. We'll figure out some other way to get there...maybe we can avoid them all together ? who knows...lets get away from here and shelter for the night"

Huddled in a earthen shelter later that night he turns to Taalkar, before he's too deep in his cups to care. "The damned things are too unpredictable, I've no idea what they want other than to just eat anything smaller than themselves. Do you think we should just come back to this Font later ? Or we can try and sneak our way in, if we built a small stone room around the font with magic, they may not even notice it...they do seem kinda dimwitted. We get attuned and we get the hell out, have ya any other ideas ?"

Barthac

2014-06-29, 12:18 PM

too bad they aint got beds. Bogeymen under the bed always scared me. Can ya do the ceremony under the font?

LordDice

2014-07-01, 12:05 AM

"Don't rightly know, I suppose if we're near enough to draw upon the energies it would work...but we'd need to have a spot directly under it in order to make something like that work I'd think. Maybe if Sid and I could Glide over there and scout it out directly under the font I could maybe shape us a small chamber to use, along with some little air channels."

Mr. X

2014-07-01, 02:41 AM

Still a few days travel from the Font, you send Sid ahead as you pick your way carefully forward.

Both of you, please make Spot Checks.

LordDice

2014-07-02, 01:08 AM

Can't actually see my charsheet right this second, so I'll just roll the d20 and maybe it'll be up later to check wis/skill modifiers
getting +5 from one of the buff spells we've been keeping up while travelling. so letsee [roll0] + whatever skill modifier
Edit, able to see my sheet finally and I've got a +3 on my Spot

Also I was talking about leaving Taalkar in the mini-shelter while we went to recon but since we're several days out I guess traveling nearby isn't a bad call, then setup a little underground hideout and start scouting from there. Also since he might get jumped while I'm scouting ahead, I'm passing him the Friendship bracelet, presuming it's still got my figure on it ? not sure how that works really.

Also, gonna be "that guy" but I just noticed Pass without Trace actually specifies nullifying scent -shrug-

Barthac

2014-07-02, 07:06 PM

Turns out I'd good at spot!!

[roll0]

Mr. X

2014-07-09, 10:59 AM

OOC:

A thousand apologies for the continued delays. I am preping a show in Japan right now, and between the jet-lag and the work load, I've been somewhat lax in formulating the next event (which I am posting now).

Sadly, owing to situations being what they are, you may continue to expect my attendance to be somewhat sporadic until my shows finish on the 13th.

In other news:

'Dice, you are absolutely correct about 'Pass without Trace'. For some reason, I thought Scent was something it didn't cover... It will certainly make your lives much easier. :-P

Also, yes, you are still a few days out, so I figured you'd stick together a bit longer... It was something of a presumption on my part, however, for which I must apologize.

@Taalkar:
You've got to be good for something sometime. :-P

I hope life has been treating you both well, and now, on with the show!

Picking your way carefully through the mountain passes, you realize that you have been passing giants far closer, and with far greater frequency, than you had previously thought.

Curled into hillocks, or standing leaning against the mountain's crags, they appear to sleep, or lay dormant, until something passes by that catches their attention... At which point they snap to action with terrifying violence, made worse by the clearly blissful joy they take in such actions... Like a kid stepping on worms...

... Once awake, they will chase, kill, and eat (not necessarily in that order) any living thing they can find, or merely frolic and play until they get tired or bored; At which point they settle once more into dormancy.

-----------

Still a day from the Source, Sid returns, all but a pile of rubble. The energies that constitute him, and make up what he is have been mired and diffused to the point where he can barely hold himself in a recognizable shape...

... Interference from the Source, it appears... Having traveled there, he found the shards and veins of gypsum reached far beneath the surface of the earth, forming a vast matrix channeling raw forces from beneath, to a focal point within the structure upon the surface.

It was in attempting to pass through this matrix that he was reduced to his current state...

Sid takes Five (5) Temporary Negative levels from the feedback received from the Source.

His power is undiminished, and as he spends time away from the subterranean matrix, it shall return at a rate of 1 per time increment. (i.e. After 1 second, 1 minute, 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week.)

Methods that restore Level Loss apply normally.

You may gather that attempting to approach the Source through the matrix will be highly hazardous, though it may be attempted.

Each round you are within the Matrix, you shall be required to make a Fortitude Save, DC 15. Failure shall result in the taking of 1 Negative Level.

The closest point to the source that you can reach before crossing into the matrix is still about two hours away (by Earth Glide).

Given Taalkar's excellent Spot Check, it will be possible to reach the edge of the valley without any further encounters, though you'll need to take actions again at that point.

Again, a thousand apologies for the delays.

LordDice

2014-07-10, 07:55 PM

Worrying at Sids appearance, even though he seems to be recovering somewhat merely drives in the danger of this current endeavor.

A days march out and still such dangers around, he builds their little temporary shelter . Watching Taalkar deep in his cups already early in the night he turns to the unfinished stone floor of their temporary hideaway.

Attempting to make an Aid for the coming days, a glace at Sid's disorganized form shows nothing. But over their link he feels a rightness to this idea...a plan born of stone.

Dust swirls at his feet as the rock starts to twist in place right in front of him, a look of mad concentration as he tries to get the proportions just right as the stone begins to reach his outstretched hand.
Grinning at the fine shape it's seemingly taken, he thumps it a few times on the stone ground to see if it'll hold up....it just might. All along the center of the staff a whirl of reddish gemstone appears, lightly glinting in the light. Looking at it closely it appears he managed to pull in a bit of rough garnet giving it a bit of a fancier appearance than he'd been going for.

Seeing Taalkar glance over he explains a bit "The old Shapers used to use these, properly used they could store the power of the many into a single spell. I've an idea of how to get us there and back safely."

"I'll need a day to prepare spells for this to work, but tomorrow I'd like to try setting up a camp as near as possible to the ridgeline, we may have to scout around a bit. I need to be able to overlook the valley for a good while. See, I'm going to set upon that valley a blizzard the likes of which they've never seen before...I suspect it'll take most the day to cast so we can't risk being seen. Perhaps just right at the ridgeline, but at the moment I need sight to finish the spell you could open a way with which I could see the target...It might even work."

Once that valley is whited out we're going to StoneShift right next to the font, this'll be the tricky part...the Wind'll be blowing like mad, and we wont be able to see much of all. I'll likely need you to keep us anchored while I cast a few spells, creating a shelter from the wind ...and the giants right over the font itself. Hopefully the Blizzard lasts so long they don't even notice. Hell I intend to make the new stone match the jutting rocks already there, even without a blizzard you'd be hard pressed to say "That's a room".....Or such is my plan anyhow"

Seeing Taalkar snap back awake at the end, drool on his shirt as he reaches for another pull from the bottle he'd been nursing "Really ? Life and death and you're sitting here practicly sleeping through this ?"

"You're still wondering what the Stone Staff I've made is for though ? For when it's time to leave of course !"

Putting his hand upon a section of the wall his power flows out, quickly turning the unappealing dolomite wall into the pure white of Basalt.

"I'll charge the staff I've made with the power to StoneShift us one time, if we have an emergency we'll run to here....and if everything goes to plan, well...it never does does it ?"

"Get some sleep Brother, it'll be a rough couple days I'm thinking"

Okay, this is is my completely fubar plan. But when Life gives you Colossial Giants, you make Giantade.

So today, before resting I spontanously use another Stone shape to create a Stone Staff, I'll have to actually beg a little DM favor here and ask you to let me use Stone in place of a normal quarterstaff...gonna make a crafting roll, to basicly make a stone quarterstaff. Sure I could just go trim bushes until I got a normal wooden one...but that's boring as hell.

Tomorrow Morning for my spells I'll take Spellstaff and use it to store a Transport Via Stone in the newly created staff. After Travelling to the Edge of the Valley and finding a decent shelter spot. We'll make a good spot to whole up right at the ridgeline if possible. Also I added another pass without Trace to my spell list, so it can be kept up 24/7.
With a new Shelter made, I'll start a Ritual Casting of Control Weather. You've mentioned it's Winter so getting a Blizzard to form shouldn't be out of the cards, despite the odd weather pattern. but we'll see. At the end of the Ritual when Line of sight is needed Taalkar can Passwall a chunk of our hideout away giving line of sight to the Valley !

Okay, if all these cards fall into place the Valley should be covered under a massive storm that will likely last days. With all that in place and keep in mind I fully intend to still do all this in character, I'm just outlining the plan so you can more devilishly throw a wrench in the absolute worst spot.

So with Storm Cover, we should hopefully Transit Via Stone immediately onto the font, you described towers of jutting Basalt. Plan to just come out of one of them, With some help from Taalkar and Sid keeping me from flying away in the high winds. I'll proceed to cast 2 walls of salt. This will end up being at caster lvl 12, so that's 120 feet, 5ft high of foot thick salt. trying to use the jutting Basalt as anchors, I'll fill in until we've got some decent cover, with only small airgaps in spots so we don't just...you know, die.

There is no plan past that point, because I'm pretty sure we'll have been dead long before then. so I'll wing it after that :P.

ON with the roll ! Craft Stoneworking [roll0]

Mr. X

2014-07-13, 09:59 PM

OOC:

This is an excellent plan.

I have just a few notes:

Owing to the nature of what Control Weather does, I am going to require that you have view of the target area for the entirety of the ritual. (I don't see this having any significant effect on you though.)

Also, you may Stoneshift directly through the gypsum shards that surround the Source, but as they are part of the channeling matrix, you will be subject to the effects of passing through them, and be required to make a fortitude save against level loss. (Just one though.)

The stone staff is totally fine.

With that craft roll, you create a Masterwork Quarterstaff (+1 attack). Owing to the materials used, it is heavier and more brittle than a typical staff. As such, it receives the Fragile quality (Will break on an attack roll of 1 or 2), and has its damage die increased one size (will deal d8 damage, rather than d6).

Everything else looks good. You may make your way to the ridge, and begin taking actions.

I'll leave it to you to describe the overlook.

Edit/: You'll also wish to determine whether the Verbal Component of Control Weather requires focused mutterings, or thundering incantations. (Definite style points for the latter.) :-P

LordDice

2014-07-15, 11:06 PM

Reaching the edge of the Valley without too much trouble they set about quietly making preperations, Sid and Taalkar set out gathering a few rocks and brush to disguise the entrace a bit more than normal, since they'll be here for at least a day.

In the meantime Karazi sets about creating a small chamber right in the ridgeline, the entrance to which lies down a good 10 feet of tunnel. In this small chamber he molds out a porthole of sorts, to give him a bit of sight down into the valley...Surely not much but it should suffice.

Having charged his newly created staff during the morning hours, it lies just to his side. As Sid and Taalkar make their way inside, satisfied with the camouflaging of the entrance he comments to them "I'm going to try and start channeling to get enough power to actually cast this massive weather change in the valley. I'm not sure how aware I'll be during this...if they come for us you have to snap me out of it. We'll regroup and try again...otherwise I estimate this'll take most of the rest of the day to cast...should last several days afterwards though.

We'll leave for the font come the morning.

That said he Shapes up a stool to sit on whilst staring out his porthole, and the low rumble of stones grinding upon stones comes from his voice. A Landslide of power building in extremely low tones as even the rocks themselves seem to vibrate around him.

Used 3 Stone Shapes and 2 Greater Stone shape to create this one, seeing as it wasn't made partially from it's own cave already. If all the spells I wish did more, those guys really don't move alot of stone at all.

Got spells updated for the next morning as well, when we actually go into the Font.

Mr. X

2014-07-22, 05:47 AM

From your perch on the ridge, you hold a wide view of the valley below.

Only a thin layer of snow covers the ground around you, in stark contrast to the heavy drifts and blistering winds you trudged through to get here.

Indeed, even at this distance, the radiant forces of the Font seem to warm the air, and take the sting from the winter winds.

Below the giants are scattered about in great numbers. You're learning to pick them out in their dormancy now, and there are many that you can see curled up amongst the broken boulders, or frolicking haphazardly over hill and shrub. Even here, the earth tremors occasionally under their bounds.

For Karazi:

The ritual requires a great deal of power. Taking your seat, you peer out of your porthole over the valley, and begin speaking the words...

Under such stress as you have been, it is difficult to quiet your mind, and at first very little happens.

Calm... Quiet... Focus...

You repeat the words, and settle more comfortably onto your stool...

... A minor swell... Like a blade of grass bending on a breath of wind...

... Even the avalanche must begin with a single pebble, and the one that comes after...

... You repeat the words again... And again... And again...

Each time your trance deepens and your power swells, until the world slips away, and there is only the droning repetition of the words, and the growing sympathetic resonation of the earth beneath you...

For Taalkar:

As your brother starts muttering his incantation, you settle into a nook opposite him, and unstring your axe to keep watch.

...

The minutes slip by, and as your brother drones on, and the giants that you can see remain dormant or only banally active, you find your fingers itching...

... You were never the patient one.

...

... You eye wanders from Sid over to the tankard hanging from your pack...

You could never get a handle on the thing that was your brother's pet... Handy in a fight, no doubt, but otherwise hard to crack. It just sits there whenever it isn't following Karazi around... Doesn't move, doesn't talk, doesn't swat flies, just sits there like a rock...

... Guess that's to be expected, you suppose...

... You wonder if you could teach it to drink...

...

... Speaking of drinking, an ale would be quite a fine thing right about now...

Looking back, it's funny to think that you got your brother to enchant that tankard on a lark, back while Ironjaw was still alive, and now it's about the only thing keeping you sane...

... Your brother might have the earth and spirits to tell him there's still hope, but all you've got is a long trail of blood...

Ironjaw... Murdered under your nose. By the Noretan? The Whurgrim? Someone else?

Leaving you at the reigns of the Garrison's host, where you were never meant to be... You were supposed to be in the thick of things, with rolling heads and arterial spray, not trying to figure out which friend was going to stab you in the back first.

Of course, it turned out to be all of them at once.

Great Gate... Willem Whurgrim... Even Deep Mote and the Mountain King now...

The 'Godsent' were a bad joke... The only person still living, besides your brother, to have ever treated you with a shred of decency was the bloody runt King... Wonder how long he'll last...

... And now, barely a week later, you're up at the top of the world, offering yourself up as a giant's snack... (Nevermind that you were riding south into the Southern Forest at the start of that week, and getting here should have taken the better part of a year.)...

...

Looking down, you find the tankard in your hand, empty, but refilling itself with ale...

... Wonder how many you've had...

OCC:

More to come tomorrow.

I am just now getting on my flight back to the states. Will be far more regularly present after tomorrow.

Cheers,

X

Mr. X

2014-07-26, 11:12 AM

For Taalkar:

... Hells...

You watch the tankard slowly refill, and glance to your brother. He bobs gently on his stool, repeating and re-repeating whatever words or phrases, in that gravelly language of his, that make up whatever magic he is trying to work.

Nothing much is happening though. He's been stretching himself pretty thin the last few days, layering you both in such an array of spells and magics that the constant itch in your teeth almost made you want to pull them out.

The giants didn't find you though, so that's certainly something.

Looking out the window, the coast remains clear, as do the skies...

... You sit back and swig your ale.

Coming up, you raise a curious eyebrow, as you note the surface of the liquid shudder and vibrate slightly for a moment, and then stop.

vhrump

... Strange...

You stare for a moment, and it happens again...

vhrump

The air whistles in the porthole as the winds pick up, while Karazi continues his rhythmic droning...

vhrump

Your teeth begin to tingle and itch as power begins to well around your brother. Outside, heavy clouds begin to gather, and the blustering winds fill the air with flecks of snow and dust, reducing visibility considerably.

vhrump

The sound happens in perfect rhythm with your brother's droning, a resonation of the earth and stone all around you...

BROOOOM

The earth heaves violently beneath you, enough to throw any man to the floor, but you plant your feet, and, through the forces you are only just beginning to understand, anchor yourself to the floor... Beside you, Karazi remains seated on his stool, bobbing weirdly like a leaf on water, as the earth rocks beneath him, while Sid's body molds into, out of, and around the heaving stone...

... That came from outside...

Through the porthole and the gale force winds you can just make out the outlines of the approaching giants...

BOOM

They walk towards you, blank faced and dazed, their footfalls in perfect unison... There are eight that you can see, probably more, approaching directly towards you, evenly spaced, and from different directions... Almost as they they were walking down the spokes of a wheel, with your shelter at its hub...

BOOM

BOOM

Behind you, Karazi drones on... His eyes glazed over and unaware...

BOOM

BOOM

The earth rocks and rumbles beneath their footfalls, each falling still in the rhythm of your brother's maddeningly repetitious chant...

... When suddenly, they stop... And wait...

... And they begin to sing...

Mr. X

2014-07-31, 01:50 AM

OOC:

At long last, the new OOC thread is up, and may be found here:Something Wicked this way Comes... (Part Deux) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?364529-Something-Wicked-this-way-Comes-(Part-Deux)&p=17857612#post17857612)

Taalkar, it's your move.

Let me know if you have any questions I can answer.

Cheers,

X

Barthac

2014-07-31, 11:23 PM

The almost full cup of ale falls on the ground. Its now forgotten ale seeps slowly into the ground.

Taalkar gapes through the small hole at the giants singing. This was clearly not part of the plan!

He glances back at his brother, deep in the throes of the complicated casting. He reaches out to shake his brother but stops. Do I wake him? he thinks. Damn it! His brother was the one to figure this stuff out. He glances out the window than back at his brother. Gripped with indecision, he hesitates, waiting to see what the giants do next.

Mr. X

2014-08-01, 12:21 AM

Outside the gale winds blast with such force that you can hardly hear yourself think. Even so, the immensity of the giants leaves them unbothered, and their thunderous bellowing is easily heard over the roaring of the winds...

"OOOOOO EEEEEEEHH IIIIIIIIIIII OOOOOOOH"

Gods only know what they're saying, but at least they're not coming any closer... For the moment anyway...

For Karazi:

The phrase repeats... And repeats again... And repeats again...

... Now indistinguishable from the rhythmic resonation of the earth, the power wells around you like oozing flows of magma; unfathomably hot, and all but bursting with potential...

... It is this energy that you begin to carefully channel, allowing it to flow forth, to effect your will upon the world...

... Directing away the power, the pool begins to slowly drain, fueling your efforts... When suddenly it wells again... Bubbling up uncalled for, and barely within your control, the power surges, and swirls around you, threatening to drown you.

Your effective Caster Level for this spell is increased by [roll0]. Additionally, the Area, Duration, and Ferocity of the blizzard you have conjured shall be multiplied by the above roll.

Please make a Will Save, DC above roll, to attempt to control the flood of power.

LordDice

2014-08-03, 08:00 PM

Karazi bolts up as the spell finishes only yo almost immediately drop back down clutching his head. Still clutching his head in agony he looks out the small porthole as things start to go to hell outside... Far FAR too much power.

As the storm starts getting worse and worse down in the basin, he knows in moments it'll encompass a much MUCH larger area, with the power involved this'll likely cover the north.

The wind and snow seem to be stripping away dirt and loose rock near the font, shaving down eons of buildup...the font itself seems to have some protection. As the wind strips away dirt, more and more of the energized rock the Font sits upon is revealed. He notices quickly even the Giants seem to be taking cover from the horrible winds.

Before long he can't see a thing out the small porthole, only a massive howling of the wind outside, scouring off the surface of the rock itself. Turning to Taalkar he winces at the motion "It was too much, It's just too much. We'll never survive down there now.....and we can't just go back to an old camp. This storm is going to eat the very stone off the face of the earth for days of travel......what have I done.."

LordDice

2014-08-06, 03:57 PM

"I'm not sure what to do Brother....I couldn't even begin to try and dispel such a thing until tomorrow..and even then I suspect I'd need that same swell of magic to pull it off.

I used most of my magics to create this place and cast the blizzard, I had no idea....I thought it would just be a normal blizzard."

Collapsing backwards and sliding down the wall, he looks up to Taalkar absolutely lost "What can I do ? I probably just helped those giants wipe out untold villages nearby, There's no crappy northman hut that will withstand a storm like that..."

Mr. X

2014-08-09, 05:08 PM

...

The night passes slowly, to the sounds of the tremendously powerful winds shrieking outside the porthole...

... But despite their fury, you seem warm and safe enough, for the moment--

CRACK!!

A tumbling shard of granite, near as large as a castle tower, rips the ceiling off your shelter, and hurtles over the ridge and into the valley...

The banshee screams of the wind are suddenly all around you, like grasping hands, it clutches at you, seeking to carry you away...

Please make a reflex save DC 12, to avoid getting blown away by the wind.

If you succeed, you may take an action.

No damage this round.

Mr. X

2014-08-10, 01:46 PM

Scrambling for purchase, you both manage to squeeze yourselves into the corners of your shelter, and hang on, for the moment...

You have to get out of here.

Karazi, if you like, you may make a Knowledge(Arcana) or Knowledge([Super]Nature) check.

Barthac

2014-08-10, 05:36 PM

Brother Taalkar screams as their little shelter is demolished. Taalkar sees Karazi about to fly out into the storm. Leaping, he shoulder blocks his brother into a corner. He reaches out and grabs the remaining stone walls. His hands grip and his finger tightens, tear and digging into the stone wall, they fins purchase and hold. With his brother pinned in the corner beneath him, he feels the pull of magically enhanced winds trying to drag him, and his brother, away. He screams with the effort to hold them in this corner but the cry is lost in the force of the howling gale. His only hope now is to hang on and hope his brother has a better idea.

Barthac

2014-08-13, 09:34 PM

Taalkar suddenly notices his brother's face. Normally an unreadable plain tablet, it is now fraught with indecision and confusion.

I guess it's my turn, he howls into the wind.

Closing his eyes and concentrating, he feels the energy of the storm trying to tear him from his perch. He pictures what he wants. He releases the wall and in a flash wraps his arms tightly around his brother.

For a moment, they hover. Two forces beyond his control wrestle for dominance, one pulling him down the other up. Taalkar panics, By Moradin think HEAVY thoughts!

It last but a second and the brothers fall into a deep hole that wasn't there just a moment ago.

Passwall straight down. Then we can use a few more to create a little L of tunnel. Hopefully it doesn't fill up with snow too soon!

Mr. X

2014-08-15, 01:28 AM

For the barest moment, it appears as though gravity alone will not be enough to save you... But in that moment, the wind takes a breath, and you plummet down into the pit, where another word from Taalkar hollows out a deep nitch.

While storm rages relentlessly above, you appear to be safe, for the moment.

Strangely, after only a few hours, the howling winds begin to die down...

Could the storm already be dissipating?

LordDice

2014-08-16, 02:23 PM

With a low rumble in Terran to Sid "Can you tell what's going on aboveground ? it sounds like the storm is lessening"

Mr. X

2014-08-16, 04:02 PM

Sid melds into the wall, and returns a short while later.

His comprehension of weather patterns is less that masterful, but the winds are decidedly less severe, and the sky appears to be clearing somewhat...

You'll need to see for yourself to be certain of what is going on.

It is apparent that there are no giants active in the area.

LordDice

2014-08-17, 12:55 AM

Shrugging at Sid's lack of information he turns to Taalkar "Gonna flow through some of the rock, see if I can tell what's going on. Don't worry, I'll stay throughly buried, wind wont be pulling me anywhere"

Slowly settling into the rough stone edge made by his brothers technique he flows upwards, very slowly so as not to accidentally surface too much...just to try and get a peek at what's happening...slowly working his way to the rim of the valley

Mr. X

2014-08-17, 02:31 AM

Reaching the surface, the winds are still fairly strong, but nothing compared to what they were just a few hours ago... It is fully safe for you to stand upon the surface.

A layer if heavy snow coats the ground now, now settled with the dying of the winds... Deep thunder rumbles off in the distance in the Southern sky, to where the storm has departed...?

It is moving... Southward. It's fury, clearly undiminished.

At a guess, it will reach Citadel in a day. Ork Watch a few days after, and Timaril or Great Gate a few days after that.

LordDice

2014-08-19, 09:39 PM

Gliding out the rock next to Taalkar he starts talking quick Blasted storm took on a life of it's own, headed south...we've no cover like planned, but the giants seem to have gone dormant for a bit. If we're going to try this at all, now is the time."

Slapping his brother upon his shoulder a burst of violet energy covers all of them for a few seconds "Hopefully that'll ward off some of the dangers of transporting in via the heavily magiked stone down near the Font"

"This'll be our best shot at this I suppose, Lets go. When we get there...not a word or movement. I'll try and get us some shelter quick"

Holding his new Staff in one hand, he prepares himself for the casting. A moment later the Staff slams into the ground in a shockwave of power...the rock below ripples like a pond and they slip into the rock whilst in another place at the font they slowly slip out at the same time.

Energy gathers within his palm as he quickly presses it into the ground....mere moment later giant crystals of salt grow in filling the gaps between the spires of Gypsum around them, even so far as to cover the area above them.

Okay, before heading out a few spells got cast. Those marked on my sheet with a - can be considered cast at the beginning of every day. (Pass without Trace, Raptors Sight, Forestfold and Greater Resistance) In addition cast Death Ward just before the Teleport to protect from negative levels coming through the energized stone.

Upon arrival spontanously cast Wall of Salt from Wall of Water. This'll end up 12 5ft sections of foot thick salt. I figure'd it would be okay to take an action after the teleport. Even if we got noticed instantly.

Mr. X

2014-08-21, 12:05 AM

There is no evidence of immediate incoming assault, or eerily, of anything at all, as the growing shards of salt fill in the gaps between the gypsum shards...

Nor, indeed, do you suffer any ill effects from transporting through the matrix...

A long moment passes, every nerve in your bodies alert and prepared for disaster... But the moment stretches on, and nothing happens...

Tensely, you take a moment to have a look around.

The area is nothing like the Font of Mythril Keep... Untouched, and uncleaned by any order of servitors (the space within is far too small for a giant to fit in), the Font is a mass of massive jutting shards... A wonder of nature, with no rhyme or reason to any structure...

A picture is worth a thousand words...
http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x321/chaunceyparsons/Mobile%20Uploads/1408597147_zpsdd972cd5.jpg

LordDice

2014-08-23, 08:48 PM

Breathing a bit easier after being ready for the worst. Relaxing just a tad he takes a moment to take in the wondrous location.

Reaching out to one of the giant pillars nearby the energy flowing through it is evident...but it lacks a true focal point to his eyes. Energy seeming to go to and fro through the crystaline structure without much predictability or order...Nature at it's finest, unpredictable.

In a hushed tone he whispers to Taalkar "I doubt the same attunement ceremony will work with such chaotic energy flow. I could try meditating to start it, but the energy feels like it has no true focal point, It bursts through the gypsum in unpredictable patterns. I think in order to become one with the Font...we're going to need some of the Font as part of us. Much like the mercury seeps within at the previous, giving a channel with which to merge with the Font I believe we'll need some piece of gypsum here to focus it within.

Reaching down he picks up a small shard of gypsum, the size of a thumb. Afterwards digging into his pack he grabs a bottle of Rum and a Shapestone. With a bit of concentration the shapestone turns into a small mortar and pestle. Dropping the shard into it he starts trying to quietly grind it into a fine powder. Once done he quickly adds a few pulls of Rum to the Mortar and mixes it into a solution.

"It's quite untested..but this might just be the best way. I'll drink this and try Meditating. Keep watch Brother, leave me be if something seems to happen..who's to say what reaction this'll have.

Finding a spot next to one of the spires of gypsum he kneels next to it, swirls the concoction a bit before swiftly drinking it.

Energy slams into him, as he drops the cup and focuses his thoughts within.